Islanders' Nikolay Kulemin: May have been playing injured

It is assumed that Kulemin was nursing an unknown injury for most of this past season, including the playoffs, Arthur Staple of Newsday.

Analysis:

Although Kulemin played in 81 games, he only scored nine goals and 22 points. He was mostly relegated to the third line, though -- like just about every other Islander forward -- he was also given a chance to play with John Tavares. The assumed injury is not expected to carry over until next season, but it is serious enough that Kulemin elected not to participate in the World Championships.