Doug Weight wasn’t ready to put an end to Calvin de Haan’s season just yet, but the Islanders coach described his defenseman’s status with a shoulder injury as out “indefinitely” and “long-term.”
De Haan, injured late in last Saturday’s overtime win against the Kings as he hit the ice to break up a rush, has not yet had surgery.
“There’s still some steps to see the proper healing and what we have to do,” Weight said before the Islanders beat the Jets 5-2 Saturday at Barclays Center. “Whether we’re hopeful to get him back, that’s kind of to be determined still.”
De Haan, who underwent an MRI exam Monday, had been third on the team in ice time with an important role on the penalty kill before he went on injured reserve.
The Islanders still have seven defensemen on their active roster, but Weight didn’t rule out any changes that could come starting Thursday, when the NHL’s roster freeze is lifted. Young blueliners Devon Toews and Sebastian Aho have impressed at AHL Bridgeport.
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“I haven’t thought about that,” Weight said. “We have seven good D here. Devon and Sebastian have played very well and we’ve got to see them quite a bit. As you move forward, everything’s a possibility. We’ll continue to keep an eye on [them] and keep in contact with the staff down there. But they’ve done nothing to hurt themselves, that’s for sure.
“We have to play to win, so we’ll see what happens.”
The Islanders’ fourth line of Jason Chimera, Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck reunited, and it didn’t feel so good for the Jets. The veteran trio drew the start and immediately brought some juice to the ice that lasted throughout the day, playing a majority of the shifts against the Jets’ top line.
“Cal Clutterbuck, that was the best game I’ve seen him play,” Weight said. “He’s played pretty well this season, but he was physical and intimidating. I thought that line was really good from the first shift.”
Anthony Beauvillier got in on the fun late, burying a pass from John Tavares top shelf for his first goal since Dec. 1. In the process, Tavares extended his point streak to seven games after Josh Bailey had extended his to eight earlier in the day. The duo are in a second-place tie in the NHL with 46 points apiece.
Islanders prospect Kieffer Bellows was named an alternate captain on the 2018 U.S. National Junior Team.