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The Islanders’ Reilly is out indefinitely after undergoing heart surgery
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The Islanders’ Reilly is out indefinitely after undergoing heart surgery

Cory Wright of the New York Islanders issued more injury updates Monday afternoon, including an unfortunate update for a member of the Islanders defense.

The organization announced that quarterback Mike Reilly fully recovered from his concussion on Nov. 1, but underwent a heart procedure that will keep him off the ice indefinitely.

There should be no long-term concerns for Reilly’s health after he fully recovers from surgery, according to several quotes from New York’s general manager and president of hockey operations, Lou Lamoriello.

Lamoriello said, “It was seen through different echocardiograms that you get for different reasons that you go through with any post-concussion situation. It’s probably a blessing in disguise of what happened. They detected it, something you’re born with sometimes, but you never knew. (His quality of life will be) 100% and he will be able to play once this procedure is done. It takes quite a lot of time. It could be a few months before he returns, because of the type of procedure.”

Due to the uncertainty of the recovery process, it will likely be some time before the Islanders issue official updates on Reilly’s status. With Lamoriello mentioning it could be a few months, there’s every chance Reilly won’t be back until next season.

The Chicago native has played in 70 games for New York since being claimed off waivers from the Florida Panthers last year. He has been a consistent offensive player during this stretch with six goals and 24 points, averaging 17:01 a night in an Islanders jersey.

The team also issued updates on Alexander Romanov, Anthony Duclair, Mathew Barzal and Adam Pelech in the announcement. Romanov, the closer to a return, is still considered day-to-day and will be a game-time decision for Tuesday night’s contest against the Calgary Flames.

In the long run, neither Duclair, Barzal or Pelech have returned to skating, but the team hopes Duclair will soon. He suffered a lower-body injury on October 19 and was initially given a four-to-six-week recovery window.

Barzal and Pelech haven’t been out as long as Duclair. The two were injured in back-to-back games in the first week of November and have yet to be cleared by the team’s medical staff.