Islanders' Eaton done for season

Veteran defenseman Mark Eaton, the latest victim in a raft of injuries hobbling the Islanders all season. will have surgery on his right hip this week in Vail, Colo.

Eaton, 33, a member of Pittsburgh's 2009 Stanley Cup champions, was signed as a free agent in July and played in 34 games.

His loss for the rest of the season is the most recent erosion of the team's overall health. Beginning with the loss of All-Star defenseman Mark Streit and all-around forward Kyle Okposo in the pre-season, the Islanders have had only two players available for all of their 40 games this season - forwards Matt Moulson and Zenon Konopka.

The team's defense, in particular, has suffered. Besides Streit, who is unlikely to return from shoulder surgery this season, every defenseman currently on the roster has missed significant playing time because of injury.

With Eaton gone, lost to the same surgery that ended Mike Mottau's season, Radek Martinek now has played in more games - 29 - than any other member of the back line. James Wisniewski played in 32 games before he was traded to Montreal on Dec. 28.

The Islanders also announced Monday that veteran Jon Sim has been waived and again will return to their Bridgeport affiliate if he is not claimed by noon Tuesday.