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Out since Nov. 1 after suffering a concussion against the Buffalo Sabres, Islanders defenseman Mike Reilly will now have a procedure on his heart on Tuesday to address a preexisting heart condition, GM Lou Lamoriello said on Monday. He will be out indefinitely following the procedure.
Reilly’s heart issue was detected during routine tests from his concussion, but it is not related to the hit nor the subsequent injury he sustained.
“It’s probably a blessing in disguise of what transpired,” Lamoriello said while adding that Reilly has been cleared of the concussion. “They detected this, something that you’re sometimes born with, but never knew.”
While Reilly’s long-term health is the main priority, Lamoriello mentioned that the 31-year-old is expected to be able to continue his hockey career after the procedure. Nevertheless, the Isles will be without their defenseman for the foreseeable future as there is no definitive timeline for a return.
“[His quality of life will be] 100 percent and he will be able to play once this procedure is done,” Lamoriello said. “It takes quite a bit of time. It could be several months before he’s back, because of the type of procedure.”
In his second season in New York after coming over from the Florida Panthers early last season, the 10-year veteran tallied three hits and four blocked shots through 11 games in 2024.
As for a few other injured Islanders, head coach Patrick Roy said that defenseman Alexander Romanov is still considered day-to-day after he was a full participant for two consecutive practices and is a game-time decision for Tuesday’s matchup with the Calgary Flames.
Forward Anthony Duclair (lower-body injury) has yet to resume skating, but New York hopes he will in the near future. Meanwhile, Mathew Barzal (upper-body injury) and Adam Pelech (upper-body injury) have also not been cleared by doctors to resume skating.