Islanders claim Reilly off waivers after placing Pelech on LTIR

The New York Islanders claimed veteran defenseman Mike Reilly off waivers from the Florida Panthers, the team announced Saturday.

The move comes after the Islanders announced they'd placed rearguard Adam Pelech on long-term injured reserve with an upper-body ailment. Pelech exited the first period of Friday's 5-3 victory over Ottawa after absorbing a hit from Senators forward Drake Batherson.

Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello later said he expects Pelech to miss at least a few weeks, according to Newsday's Andrew Gross.

A vital piece of the Islanders' blue line, Pelech has logged three assists in 16 games so far this season while averaging 19:37 minutes of ice time. The 29-year-old missed three games earlier this campaign with a lower-body issue.

New York also lost defenseman Sebastian Aho to injury against the Senators. Shortly after Pelech went to the dressing room, Aho left the game in the opening frame following a check into the boards by center Rourke Chartier.

Lamoriello said Aho is now dealing with an upper-body injury but doesn't yet know how much time he'll miss, according to the New York Post's Ethan Sears.

Reilly, meanwhile, appeared in two games with the Panthers this season and averaged just over 14 minutes while failing to register a point. Lamoriello expects Reilly to join the team on Sunday, per Gross.

The 30-year-old Reilly has also suited up for the Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, and Boston Bruins. Florida signed him to a one-year, $1-million deal in July after Boston bought out the final year of his contract.

Reilly has amassed 98 points in 341 games across nine NHL seasons.

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