New York Islanders Move Andrew Ladd and Thomas Hickey To LTIR

The New York Islanders will have Thomas Hickey and Andrew Ladd play in Bridgeport for a rehab assignment, but they’re also on LTIR too.

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Andrew Ladd and Thomas Hickey dress for the New York Islanders. Ladd hasn’t played since November 13, when the Islanders took on the Vancouver Canucks.

In the 14 games, he did play this year, Ladd was semi-productive. He had seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) for exactly half a point per game. He’s in year three of seven so the Isles are hoping he can give them something for that $5.5 million cap hit for the remainder of his contract.

As for Thomas Hickey, he hasn’t played since December 17 against Colorado. Both of these guys have missed over two months, and the Islanders have surged in their absence.

The Isles have a three-point lead in the Metropolitan Division. It’s been working without Ladd and Hickey so what’s the move for the Islanders?

Well, for at least the next couple of games, Ladd and Hickey will play rehab assignments in the AHL with The Sound Tigers. After their trial period is over in the AHL, they’ll be re-evaluated to see if they are able to join the Islanders.

Lou Lamoriello, wisely put both of these guys on Long Term IR, so if for whatever reason either of the two aren’t good to go the Isles don’t have to worry about putting them on the roster prematurely.

Now, if both guys are ready to go the Isles will be faced with a tough decision. Who goes back down on defense and which forward gets the boot for Ladd.

Ideally, on defense, Devon Toews stays up here while Luca Sbisa is waived and Adam Pelech becomes the healthy scratch. Thomas Hickey is deserving of a spot back in the lineup, and of everyone else in the mix, Adam Pelech deserves to come out of the everyday lineup due to inconsistency.

As for the forward group, Michael Dal Colle likely gets sent back down to the AHL. In 20 games he has just four points, not nearly enough to continue to run out there in the lineup when a veteran like Ladd is available.

Ladd will likely fit right back in with the Val Filppula and Leo Komarov on the third line. It’s an expensive third line, but their veteran presence seems to make sense for the Islanders as they head towards a playoff push.