CALGARY, Alberta — Mike Riley will undergo surgery on Tuesday after a heart condition was discovered while recovering from a concussion, Isles general manager Lou Lamoriello announced after the team's practice on Monday.
Riley is out indefinitely after being called on a hit by Jordan Greenway against Buffalo on Nov. 1, but this is not considered a career-ending situation.
The 31-year-old has also recovered from a concussion that appeared to be potentially long-term at this point.
“It's an illness that he's had for many years that requires careful attention and will keep him out indefinitely,” Lamoriello said of the heart problem, without providing further details. “…and maybe it was a stroke of luck that they detected this, hiding what happened. Some people are born with it; [he] I never knew. ”
Lamoriello said Riley's quality of life has not been affected and surgeries have been “coming and going,” but it will be “a significant amount of time” before he can return to play.
For the Islanders, that means Isaiah George's tenure with the team could be extended for a long time.
George, who has received rave reviews since being called up from AHL Bridgeport earlier this month, returned to the fold Monday with Alexander Romanov (upper body) skating in his usual pairing with Noah Dobson, but with Ryan Purock. Skated in pairs. He was signed to play in Tuesday's game against the Flames.
Lamoriello said Romanoff was cleared to return by team doctors. The 24-year-old said a final decision on whether to play would be made on Tuesday, but sounded optimistic.
“I feel great,” Romanoff said. “I feel like I'll be ready tomorrow. Tomorrow I'm 100 percent sure,” he said. [but] We are preparing for tomorrow's game.”
Romanoff has been with the Islanders throughout the road trip, which began more than a week ago, but only recently hung up his non-contact jersey.
“It's great to be part of the team again,” he said. “You're not watching the game on TV or in the stands. Just being with the team. It's great. It's a great feeling.”
Lamoriello said Anthony Duclair (groin suspicion) is expected to begin skating this weekend. Matt Barzal (upper body) and Adam Pelech (jaw) were not updated to their schedules, which were originally scheduled for four to six weeks.
Lamoriello declined to say whether the Islanders had contacted the NHL regarding Patrick Roy's failed goaltender interference challenge on Saturday, which resulted in Roy losing 3-2 to Seattle. After the loss, the team said they had been “robbed.”
“It's all in the past,” Lamoriello said. “We're getting ready to play tomorrow night. It's over.”
