Islanders coach Barry Trotz is not looking to set up a rotation among his defensemen. But with Thomas Hickey’s activation off long-term injured reserve, there are seven regulars vying for six spots.
Scott Mayfield will return to the lineup Thursday night against the Maple Leafs at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum after being a healthy scratch for Tuesday night’s 3-1 loss to the visiting Calgary Flames to accommodate Hickey’s return.
Hickey, who was a minus-1 in 14:48 in his first game since Dec. 17 after being out since Dec. 18 with a suspected head injury, will be a healthy scratch on Thursday.