Islanders' Rookie Calum Ritchie Out 1-2 Weeks With Preseason Injury

Calum Ritchie, a promising rookie center for the New York Islanders, will miss one to two weeks due to a lower-body injury sustained during the preseason finale against the Philadelphia Flyers. Despite the setback, coach Patrick Roy expressed satisfaction with Ritchie's performance in training camp and preseason games, highlighting the difficulty of the roster decision given his strong impression. Ritchie, who was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche and had been playing well alongside veteran teammates, was competing for one of the final center positions on a team already deep at that spot. The injury likely prevents him from making the opening-night roster, though he remains a strong candidate for a call-up once healthy. The Islanders will monitor his recovery closely as the regular season approaches, and Ritchie's development and impact remain a key storyline for the team's lineup decisions. Meanwhile, veteran Anders Lee has returned from injury and is preparing for the season opener.