NHL.com is reporting today that a second key New York Islander will miss a significant amount of time this season with a shoulder injury.
From the report:
The team announced Tuesday that forward Kyle Okposo’s ailing right shoulder will require surgery that will keep him out indefinitely. Newsday is reporting that Okposo suffered a torn labrum and will miss 2-3 months.
This news comes roughly 48 hours after the team announced that defenseman Mark Streit would miss the bulk of the season after undergoing surgery to repair damage to his left shoulder that is reported to be a torn rotator cuff and labrum.
The Islanders have now lost both of their alternate captains to extended shoulder injuries and the season hasn’t even started.
The team also announced it has signed former New Jersey defenseman Mike Mottau to a two-year contract. Mottau, 32, spent the last three seasons with the Devils and last season recorded a career-high 18 points in 79 games.
Okposo finished second on the team last season with 19 goals and 52 points in 80 games. He had 18 goals and 39 points as a rookie two seasons ago. It is unclear when he suffered his shoulder injury, though there is speculation that it happened during an intrasquad scrimmage last week.