Islanders winger Nikolai Kulemin will miss the remainder of the regular season after having successful surgery on an undisclosed upper-body injury. The 31-year-old Magnitogorsk native was injured in a game last week against the Oilers and had not returned to the line-up. He scored just one goal and added two helpers through 13 games this season.
Set to become an unrestricted free agent next season, last week might have been the last time Islanders fans saw #86 in blue and orange as it seems unlikely he will be re-signed. A deep post-season run could change that but the writing seems to be on the wall for the 10-year veteran. Signed with fellow Maple Leaf Mikhail Grabovski, Kulemin scored 37 goals and 42 assists in 248 regular season appearances.