NY Islanders Casey Cizikas out with illness, recall Otto Koivula, loan Samuel Bolduc

The NY Islanders announced on Monday morning that forward Casey Cizikas is sick with a non Covid illness. With Cizikas out for an unknown timetable, they have recalled forward Otto Koivula from the American Hockey League Bridgeport Islanders. To make room on the roster, the Islanders have loaned defenseman Samuel Bolduc to the AHL Islanders.

Cizikas is a significnt loss to the Islanders at a crucial part of the season in which the Isles are making a push to propel themselves in the standings at an attempt to make the playoffs. The 31-year-old forward has been up and down the lineup from playing with Mathew Barzal's wing and his usual spot on the fourth line centering Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck or Hudson Fasching. In 55 games this season, Cizikas has scored four goals and 13 points.

If Cizikas misses Tuesday's game against the Ottawa Senators, it'll be Koivula in his place as he was recalled from the Jr. Isles. Koivula has had two stints with the varsity squad, 12 games in the 2019-20 season and eight games in the 2020-21 season. In his combined 20 games at the NHL level, he recored just two assists, both of which came in the 2020-21 season. This year with the Jr. Islanders, Koivula has scored 10 goals and 21 points in 42 games.

The Jr. Islanders will get their No.1 defenseman back in Bolduc. The 22-year-old defenseman played six games with the Islanders this season and scored his first NHL goal against the Seattle Kraken on Feb.7th in the 4-0 Islander win. He's had some good and bad moments, and at the very least has shown an NHL foundation. He returns to the Jr. Islanders where he's scored eight goals and 26 points in 41 games. Despite being named an AHL All-Star, Bolduc didn't participate in the classic as he was recalled by the varsity squad.