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Islanders Move Casey Cizikas To IR; Recall Kyle MacLean From Bridgeport

Originally posted on NYI Hockey Now
By Andrew Fantucchio | Last updated 1/17/24

Casey Cizikas has missed each of the last four games for the New York Islanders, and now it appears he’ll be forced to miss even more.

The team officially announced on Wednesday afternoon that they’ve placed the veteran center on injured reserve with a lower-body injury retroactive to Jan. 9. In a related move, they’ve recalled forward Kyle MacLean from the Bridgeport Islanders of the AHL.

Cizikas exited the Islanders’ game against the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 9 after blocking a Filip Hronek slapshot off the outside of his left knee.

Casey Cizikas took a rocket from Filip Hronek right off the leg. Ouch. pic.twitter.com/LGiw223IVX

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) January 10, 2024

The Islanders initially declared Cizikas as week-to-week and opted to shuffle their lines in the interim while he was on the shelf. Now that he’s been moved to the injured reserve list, the team is making a move that will act as the solution for the long term.

A natural center, MacLean has the player profile that’s typical of a fourth-line player in the NHL.

In 36 games for the Bridgeport Islanders this season, the 24-year-old has 19 points with six goals and has spent a lot of time on the shorthanded unit.

MacLean is the son of Islanders assistant coach John MacLean and will likely make his NHL debut when the Islanders take on the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.

This article first appeared on NYI Hockey Now and was syndicated with permission.

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