Here is a tough break for Travis Hamonic and an ominous sign for he and the New York Islanders: Hamonic has been placed on injured reserve, meaning he will miss Wednesday's outdoor "Stadium Series" game at Yankee Stadium against the New York Rangers.
Hamonic had been on the comeback trail from a suspected concussion dating back at least to Jan. 12, and took contact in practice on Monday in preparation for returning to the lineup. That he's now on IR indicates a setback, and the Post's Brett Cyrgalis reports Hamonic woke up not feeling well after Monday's contact.
So the 23-year-old misses an outdoor event that so many players look forward to, and worse, his concussion symptoms are cause for continuing concern.
Hamonic's bad news changes the equation for Matt Donovan, however, as the defenseman is now recalled from AHL Bridgeport and hoping to make this afternoon's practice skate at Yankee Stadium, according to Bridgeport beat writer Michael Fornabaio:
Matt Donovan, here for about 18 minutes, called back up for Travis Hamonic, hoping to get to the Stadium for practice there. ... #BST
— Michael Fornabaio (@fornabaioctp) January 28, 2014
Donovan had just been reassigned to Bridgeport with Lubomir Visnovsky coming off IR -- also from a concussion -- on Monday, a move that is believed to allow him to be assigned to Bridgeport while the NHL is off for most of February for the Olympics.
So even if Donovan doesn't get to play in Wednesday night's game, he at least gets to soak in the outdoor event atmosphere today and tomorrow, and doesn't have to twiddle his thumbs come February.