Hunter will miss rest of the season
The Islanders' Trent Hunter, left, and Calgary's Adam Pardy collide during a preseason game at Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. (Sept. 29, 2010) Credit: MCT
Injured forward Trent Hunter is done for the season. He underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a torn MCL in his left knee.
Hunter, who suffered the injury around Thanksgiving, tried to rehab for the past two months. Apparently the injury got progressively worse, leading the Islanders to shut him down for the season.
"I was hoping to have Trent [back], so this news isn't good, but it allows him to get the medical attention he needs and get back in time for training camp next year," coach Jack Capuano said before last night's game.
After replacing Scott Gordon as coach, Capuano said he planned to use Hunter quite a bit.
"I would've used him quite a lot," Capuano said. "He was around when I was an assistant and I know what type of player he is. I thought that was a perfect combination to have him on a line with Frans Nielsen and Michael Grabner, to play with guys that have that type of skill and vision."
At this point - with a league-leading 336 man-games lost - all Capuano can do is marvel at the team's misfortune with injuries.
"It's a totally different team than when I got here," Capuano said. "These are the cards I'm dealt. I'm just trying to do the best I can."
Hunter, 30, had one goal and three assists in 17 games this season for the Islanders.
Comeau held out
Blake Comeau, who suffered a concussion from a hit during the Islanders' 3-0 loss to the Penguins last Wednesday, practiced with the team fully in the morning but was placed on injured reserve and did not play in last night's game.
"I felt good so hopefully I can get back in the lineup soon," he said.
Although symptom-free after skating in the morning, Comeau and the Islanders will play it safe when dealing with this type of injury.
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