Islanders Forward Casey Cizikas Tested Positive for COVID

Earlier today, it was announced that the New York Islanders would have games canceled through November 30 due to more positive tests. The list of Islanders who have tested positive has grown to eight players, the latest is Casey Cizikas.

Lou Lamoriello spoke with the media today to confirm that Casey Cizikas is the latest player to test positive.

In 16 games, Casey Cizikas is averaging 13:15 and has just one assist so far this year on the season. The entire team is struggling to produce points and obviously as a fourth liner he's very far down on the list of concerns for Islanders not producing so don't take this as taking issue with Cizikas' play in comparison to the rest of the team.

It's just frustrating that it got to this point for the Islanders. We're a week out from the home opener where the Islanders were without Josh Bailey, Anders Lee, Ross Johnston, Andy Greene, and Adam Pelech. It was obvious that it was spreading as the Islanders had people test positive on the 16th, 19th, and 20th yet the league didn't do anything about it.

Instead, they've played four games since that time and have had three more players test positive since this time last week. All you can do at this time is hope for health, and obviously I'm happy that the league has stepped up and finally did something but frankly, it's too little too late.

Not only did the Islanders expose risking their own players to COVID, they also risked Calgary, Toronto, the Rangers, and now Pittsburgh too.

The Islanders don't have to worry about a game until Thursday, which is five days from now. At that point, who knows who will be available and who won't and what lingering effects they may have.