Martinek out tonight vs. Leafs

Defenseman Radek Martinek is out for tonight's game against the Leafs. The Islanders said he is day to day with a lower body injury.

Martinek's name has been bandied about as Monday's trade deadline approaches, so I'm sure this will excite some conspiracy theorists into thinking there is an imminent deal for the veteran defenseman. I DO believe Martinek is the team's most likely trade chip at this point, but I doubt his absence from the lineup tonight is because of that.

Martinek, who was crunched into the boards by Stephen Weiss Monday, did get pretty banged up during yesterday's game.