Islanders Dodge Injury Scare with Kashawn Aitcheson
In a recent preseason matchup against the Flyers, the New York Islanders narrowly avoided a crisis when Kashawn Aitcheson, their first-round draft pick, was injured following a hard hit by Noah Juulsen. The incident occurred late in the second period, raising concerns among fans and the coaching staff alike.
A Sudden Impact
During the game, Aitcheson, focused on the puck, was hit open-ice by Juulsen, seemingly resulting in a knee-on-knee collision. Aitcheson immediately signaled to trainers for assistance, leaving the rink without putting weight on his left leg. This moment caught the attention of teammates, especially Tony DeAngelo, who confronted Juulsen post-hit.
A Coach’s Perspective
After a tense moment, Islanders coach Patrick Roy offered some reassurance concerning Aitcheson’s condition. “He’s fine,” Roy stated after the game, which ended 3-2 in favor of the Flyers in a shootout. “He’s gonna be day to day. It’s a lower body injury, so he’ll be fine.”
Despite Roy’s optimism, he also noted that he believed the hit could have been called knee-on-knee, a challenging determination to make, especially with limited replay angles available due to the lack of a regular broadcast setup.
Teammate Insights
DeAngelo, who was paired with Aitcheson during the game, interpreted the hit differently. He defended Juulsen’s action, stating, “The puck just started dying a little bit. He made a great read… No big deal. We gotta stick up for each other, though.” This sentiment reflects the camaraderie within the team as they navigate the risks of high-stakes hockey.
Aitcheson’s Future with the Team
Though not as heavily spotlighted as fellow draft pick Matthew Schaefer, Aitcheson was a highly-coveted selection at 17th overall. The Islanders were thrilled to obtain him using one of the picks from their trade with the Canadiens involving Noah Dobson.
Comparisons and Potential
At just 19 years old, Aitcheson, currently playing for the Barrie Colts in the OHL, has drawn comparisons to NHL star Jacob Trouba for his aggressive playing style. This high level of skill and potential adds further excitement to his development within the Islanders’ roster.
Special Teams Struggles
Despite the overall optimistic outlook, the Islanders faced challenges on special teams, going scoreless during 3:01 of power-play time. Roy noted, “I thought our entries were good. I thought we had possession of the puck. So it’s a process; time will tell us.”
The Roster Breakdown
In this preseason game, the Islanders fielded a roster that was about evenly split, featuring 50% NHL players and 50% AHL talent. David Rittich took the starting goalie position, successfully stopping 15 out of 16 shots before Parker Gahagen replaced him.
Upcoming Preseason Plans
In light of the injury and upcoming games, Roy has outlined that all players in training camp should participate in at least one of the team’s six preseason matches, a strategy to gauge player capabilities and readiness for the regular season.
Conclusion
The incident involving Kashawn Aitcheson serves as a reminder of the physical demands in hockey. As the Islanders prepare for their next challenges, fans remain hopeful for Aitcheson’s swift recovery and are excited to see how the team develops in the upcoming season.
For more on the New York Islanders and their journey through the preseason, visit NHL.com for the latest updates and insights.
