An ugly injury to Thomas Hickey has created a need for a top-four defenseman, and Devon Toews got the call for his audition with the New York Islanders.
#Isles Transactions: Thomas Hickey has been placed on IR (retroactive to 12/17). Devon Toews has been recalled from Bridgeport.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) December 19, 2018
During the Islanders’ 4-1 trouncing of the Colorado Avalanche, Hickey suffered a brutal upper-body injury which saw his evening end.
The Islanders are down a top-four defenseman who has gradually been gaining the confidence of head coach Barry Trotz as his average ice-time increased by about 30 seconds in his last dozen games compared to the start of the season.