Islanders Injury Hush Hush

**Special thanks to Webb20 from NYIC for one AMAZING photo of JT!

I've read the rumblings for weeks in various outlets. I asked the question in no uncertain terms myself. I've scrutinized every outward appearance with a discerning eye looking for a tell tale sign.

But the question remains: IS THERE SOMETIHNG WRONG WITH JOHN TAVARES?

That was until my jaw dropped yesterday when Deb Placey made a remark while hosting NHL Live. "John Tavares is playing through SOME sort of injury." Um, no.

What? Was that a confirmation? Did she have an unreleased report? Did she speak to him and he told her? Did she get a memo that I didn't? (Very possible!) What sort of injury, Deb?

But here we go again. The NY Islanders injury conspiracy theory. Hush, hush secrets that they attempt to sweep under the rug while reporters and fans use hoovers to try to dislodge them. The lack of information regarding injuries has angered many a media type and avid fan. "HEY! Don't we have a RIGHT to know?"

The lack of information has been blamed on the current administration. But it really is something that has been going on for years ... and rightly so.

I remember years ago watching the Islanders play the Rangers when Mark Messier choked Jason Blake with his own jersey until he turned purple. Why? He was trying to help Dave Scatchard who was getting pummeled by Chris Simon. Blake knew Scatchard couldn't raise his arm to fight because he was wearing a shoulder harness. Did Simon know?

There were the games the Isles lost when they shouldn't have but no one knew Blake was skating with a leg brace. Or how about the fans yelling that Asham wasn't fighting enough, but did they know that his wrist was taped and healing and he COULDN'T fight?

Of course not. They're hockey players. If they can breathe, they play. That's the charm of it. How many players in this league have taped up a little tighter and laced up their skates? How many have modified gloves so they could tape up broken fingers and continue to play? Broken teeth, broken jaws, stitches, you name it, they play through it, Unless playing through it would do irreparable damage.

Personally I have seen players leave practice in soft casts, limping, or walking crooked and I've never said a word about it knowing they'd be on the ice that night. Isn't that something their opponents would use against them?

So what's wrong with JT? Well, first off, "this isn't juniors." as Scott Gordon has told him more than once. He's been a target for big hits every time he has the puck on his stick. He's hit the boards, hit the ice, been knocked around and even lost a tooth or two. He's playing NHL hockey.

Is he "injured"? As in the way Sean Bergenheim is injured and has been since 12/9 and was supposed to be out one to two weeks? (Two weeks was last Wednesday) Or not quite as "injured" as long awaited Doug Weight who we are still waiting for since... NOVEMBER.

If JT, at nineteen, is just a little tired from a grueling NHL schedule, then let the kid have a game off. If he is a little bruised and battered, give him a few days to heal. We have spare parts. Let them play.

As the Islanders' prize possession, would they truly risk letting him play if he IS hurt? I doubt it. There's too much at stake for both him and the franchise.

It does make for good conversation though. And any time you can get all media outlets talking about the NY Islanders, it's a good thing

The Columbus Blue Jackets come to town tonight. Will they have some new faces in the line up? We'll see if ex-Capitals captain Chris Clark or Milan Jurcina are on the bench for the Blue Jackets who haven't been playing well on the road. They have an eleven game losing streak and would love to change that on the Coliseum ice.

We couldn't be more evenly matched as each team is standing at 15 - 18 - 7. Oh boy.