Doug Weight has already seen what an influx of youth and energy can bring to his worn-out Islanders team, and there is a chance that more of that could be coming soon.
Following a 3-1 loss to the Predators on Monday night, the interim head coach was asked about bringing up productive players from AHL Bridgeport, specifically defenseman Ryan Pulock. He hardly ruled it out.
“We’ll consider everything that’s available,” Weight said, as his team had two points and two teams between them and a playoff spot.
Pulock has been productive for the Sound Tigers, putting up six goals and 17 assists over the past 23 games. His big right-handed shot from the point could also help the struggling Islanders power play, which went 0-for-2 against Nashville and is now 0-for-9 over the past three games and 2-for-21 over the past eight.
Thomas Greiss, the goalie Weight called the “No. 1,” allowed two goals on 30 shots in his second straight start. Asked if recently recalled Jaroslav Halak was going to get more action over the final seven games of the season, Weight didn’t have a definitive answer.
“I don’t have a plan right now. I’m exhausted,” he said. “They’ll both be playing.”
Integral forward Nikolay Kulemin missed his second straight game with an upper-body injury, and his absence is wearing on Weight.
“Each day hurts us,” Weight said. “He’s a valuable piece for us. I really like when he’s in the lineup. But he’s got some discomfort. The plan of attack is just to work every day and see when we can get him back on the ice.”
Weight still called Kulemin “day-to-day,” and both Thursday against in Philadelphia and Friday at home against the Devils seem like unlikely return dates.
“I wouldn’t look for him Thursday or Friday, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to push it and got in,” Weight said. “It’s not going to be longer than two, three weeks, that’s for sure. Best-case scenario would be the end of the week, and I don’t know if that’s going to happen.”
Defenseman Johnny Boychuk fully participated in the morning skate, but missed his 12th straight game with a lower-body injury.
Weight said it would “be great” if Boychuk were able to play Thursday or Friday.
Forward Alan Quine came back into the lineup to replace Shane Prince, and Thomas Hickey was in the lineup for rookie defenseman Scott Mayfield. Weight did say that the big-bodied Mayfield is likely to get back Thursday.