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Day two of the Islanders exit interviews brought forth more once confidential injury information, via Arthur Staple of Newsday. Staple specifically mentioned two guys who caused a lot of "Does he look hurt to you?" chatter among the fans over the last section of the season.
Kyle Okposo missed a month after the All Star break with the gruesome-sounding detached retina. But it wasn't that simple; Okposo actually doubled down on surgery on the same eye because of an infection prior to his return to the ice.
Kyle Okposo said he needed a second surgery on his eye 3 weeks after initial surgery to clear up an infection.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 30, 2015
Okposo's second surgery did not delay his return. Also took measures to strengthen his right eye in hopes of avoiding a detachment there.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 30, 2015
All in all, a scary last few months for Okposo. Felt he was back in "training camp mode" after 5 idle weeks through Jan-Feb after surgeries.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 30, 2015
Okposo didn't exactly hit the ground running when he returned to the line-up and had a noticeable loss in chemistry with his previous linemate, John Tavares. Either the halting in his conditioning or just the trauma of having a pair of chilling operations on a pretty important part of his body could explain that.
A little more surprising is the reveal of a high ankle sprain to Frans Nielsen, who didn't play poorly exactly against the Capitals, but seemed to just be a hair off his normal solid self. There were some vague reports of a leg injury and a surprise scratching in March, but there was nothing definitive on his condition. Turns out, Nielsen had not one but two instances of the sprain, and has been hampered by it for the last two months.
Nielsen had a high ankle sprain, suffered back on Feb. 22. Reinjured on April 4. "Kind of went back to square one."
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 30, 2015
Nielsen says ankle injury will prevent him from playing for Denmark in IIHF Worlds. Tough decision, since no other Danish NHLers are going,
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 30, 2015
* * *
New Worlds Order
In more positive news, Brock Nelson is healthy and will represent the good ol' USA at the World Championships, joining his "Kid Line" teammate, and fellow Minnesota native, Anders Lee.
Brock Nelson confirms he's off to Czech Republic to represent U.S. in IIHF Worlds. He and @leeberr09 leave today. #Isles
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 30, 2015
Team Belarus, however, will be without the services of Mikhail Grabovski, whom Staple believes may have been given a note from his bosses to stay home from school.
Sounds like Mikhail Grabovski won't be going to IIHF Worlds. May have been persuaded by #Isles front office to take it easy this offseason.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 30, 2015