Kohn Out Indefinitely With Concussion, Flood Called Up

Defenseman Dustin Kohn is out indefinitely after suffering a concussion on a hit from Sean Avery in the third period of the Islanders 5-0 embarrassing loss to the New York Rangers on Wednesday night. 

Kohn, who fell to the ice face first after the hit from Avery, was taken out mid way through the third period and did not return.

The Islanders have recalled defenseman Mark Flood from the organization's AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, to take Kohn's place in the line up.  Flood made his NHL debut tonight in a 3-2 Islanders win over the Calgary Flames. Flood logged 10:49 of ice time and was minus-2 tonight. 
 
Flood, playing in his first season within the Islanders' organization, had 32 points (10 goals and 22 assists) in 58 games with the Sound Tigers.  He was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 2003 in the sixth round, 188th overall but has played in the Carolina Hurricanes the last three seasons.  Flood played for the Hurricanes' AHL affiliate playing in 165 games and totaling 19 goals and 44 assists for 63 points.  


On a side note, former Islanders great Bob Nystrom watched his son, Eric, play and score a goal for the Calgary Flames in the Flames 3-2 loss to the Isles. It was the first time Eric had played a game at Nassau Coliseum (he is from Syosset and his family still lives there).

"My heart is with the Islanders, but for Eric, I'm so proud of what he's done," the four-time Cup-winner said. "It's a thrill. We've been waiting for this game for a long time. To see him play here and play well, it's phenomenal."


"I'm sure in a million years he never imagined his son would be playing in the NHL, skating in the same arena he did," said Eric, who wears the same No. 23 the Islanders retired for his father. "I think this is a pretty proud moment for him. Too bad we couldn't come out on top."

Apparently Bob Nystrom was working on the grill all Wednesday night, as Eric had the whole team over his parents' house for a barbeque.


Here's a thought: Eric Nystrom is an unrestricted free agent this summer, is young, and fits the Islanders system very well. He has better hands than his father did and skates better than his father as well. While he fits the grinder type mold, he is also a play maker, something the Islanders desperately need.

How incredible would that story be if Nystrom were to sign with the Islanders this July? It would be a match made in heaven for these two parties.

Maybe Bob would even unretire his number 23 for his son to wear. Now that would be cool, but probably still very weird for people to see 'Nystrom 23' skating around on the ice in an Isles uniform again.