Did Islanders Simon Holmstrom Avoid Major Knee Injury?

New York Islanders forward Simon Holmstrom seemed to suffer a significant knee injury on Friday night, but maybe it’s not as bad of an injury as we initially thought.

Late in the second period, Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett took out Holmstrom’s knee on a disastrous hit, which forced the 21-year-old to miss the remainder of the contest.

Holmstrom’s injury pic.twitter.com/GOg4SZs8sq

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) December 24, 2022

There was no update from New York Islanders head coach Lane Lambert following the game, but rookie Aatu Räty had this to say:

“Luckily, I saw him go off. He was limping but still kind of didn’t need any help to move, and I think he’s [doing] pretty well considering the damage there.”

But the “considering the damage there” part makes it seem as if Holmstrom is indeed injured, but maybe not to the extent of a torn ACL or another knee injury that could be a season-ender.

Holmstrom was pictured without a brace or crutches on Bridgeport Islanders teammate Grant Hutton’s Instagram.

It seems he may have a brace on his left leg, but hard to tell.

Simon Holmstrom spent Christmas back in Fairfield, CT with other Bridgeport players and family.

No brace etc on the knee of Holmstrom. Good sign for the #Isles.

Pic via Grant Hutton’s Instagram. pic.twitter.com/scUsPb1uiM

— Ryan Maher (@ryanmaher_2) December 26, 2022

Again this does not mean that Holmstrom will be back on the ice for Tuesday’s morning skate ahead of New York’s contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins, but maybe he can get back at some point in January.

Not only has Holmstrom been a revelation defensively for New York, which has helped with the loss of Adam Pelech, but Holmstrom was also finding his offensive game. 

Three games before the injury in a 5-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, Holmstrom scored his first NHL goal on a strong move in the slot.

Pager with the soccer play to keep it in and it's Holmstrom's first NHL 🚨 pic.twitter.com/CnNkbcrfJV

— Isles on MSGSN (@IslesMSGN) December 18, 2022

After hitting the post in Friday’s contest after a pump fake that tricked everyone on the ice and all the viewers in the stands, Holmstrom hit the post.

A few minutes later, he cut through the slot again but couldn’t get a shot off as Bennett took his knee out.

The Islanders could use some positive news on the injury front, with four players on Injured Reserve and a few others banged up as they try to tread water in the Eastern Conference.

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