Thomas Hickey D FA Tue 5/11/21 9:56 PM
Thomas Hickey
D FA
Hickey was promoted to the active roster Tuesday, per CapFriendly.
EDGE Analysis
Hickey served as defensive depth for much of the 2020-21 campaign. He had two assists in five contests, but he's unlikely to see much playing time in the postseason.
Thomas Hickey D FA Sat 5/8/21 3:37 PM
Thomas Hickey
D FA
Hickey has been a healthy scratch for the past 18 games for the Islanders.
EDGE Analysis
Hickey is eighth on the Islanders' depth chart and isn't likely to play again this season unless coach Barry Trotz elects to rest several members of his defense in one or both of the last two games. If the Isles aren't able to move Hickey during the offseason, he is likely to find himself in the same position next season and will need an injury or two to play with the team.
Thomas Hickey D FA Sat 4/17/21 4:01 PM
Thomas Hickey
D FA
Hickey has once again found himself out of the lineup for eight straight games for the Islanders.
EDGE Analysis
Hickey was the Islander's eighth defenseman and played five games while Noah Dobson was in COVID-19 protocol. However, the return of Dobson has seen a return to the bench for Hickey, and with the addition of Braydon Coburn, that is likely where he will stay unless the defensive corps is hit with a rash of injuries.
Thomas Hickey D FA Thu 4/1/21 10:18 PM
Thomas Hickey
D FA
Hickey was demoted to the taxi squad Thursday, per CapFriendly.
EDGE Analysis
Hickey has spent most of the year on the taxi squad, but he's collected two assists in five games as well.
Thomas Hickey D FA Sat 3/20/21 10:15 PM
Thomas Hickey
D FA
Hickey posted a pair of assists and was plus-2 in Saturday's 6-1 win over Philadelphia.
EDGE Analysis
Hickey was making his first NHL appearance since the 2018-19 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and he responded with a multi-point outing in just under 17 minutes of ice time. The 32-year-old had been stuck on the taxi squad the entire season and spent the 2019-20 campaign in the AHL.
Thomas Hickey D FA Sat 3/20/21 7:56 PM
Thomas Hickey
D FA
Hickey was promoted from the taxi squad and will make his season debut Saturday versus the Flyers, Arthur Staple of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Hickey hasn't played a regular-season game in nearly two years. In 2018-19, he had four assists in 40 games. Hickey replaces Sebastian Aho in the lineup Saturday.
Thomas Hickey D FA Fri 3/5/21 1:09 AM
Thomas Hickey
D FA
Hickey has yet to play a game for the Islanders this season and remains on the taxi squad, Arthur Staple of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
The Islanders are the only NHL team that has used the same six defenders for each game this season. Hickey is either seventh or eighth on the depth chart, depending on where Sebastion Aho stands. Hickey was banished to the AHL last season to keep his contract off the salary cap, and this season is just a continuation of that. Hickey may need more than one injury to play for the Islanders this season.
Thomas Hickey D FA Wed 2/10/21 1:01 AM
Thomas Hickey
D FA
Hickey is still on the taxi squad for the Islanders.
EDGE Analysis
There was some thought that Hickey would be sent to Bridgeport of the AHL now that the season has started, but the Islanders have elected to keep him with the big club for the time being. The Isles tried to shed his salary during the offseason but could find no takers. Hickey is in hockey purgatory as he is truly a break glass in case of an emergency player.
Thomas Hickey D FA Fri 1/15/21 9:57 PM
Thomas Hickey
D FA
Hickey was sent to the Islander's taxi squad on Friday, Arthur Staple of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
In a best-case scenario, Hickey is the seventh or eighth defenseman for the Islanders. He hasn't played in the NHL since the 2018-19 season as the Islanders have buried him and his salary in the AHL over the past couple of seasons. The Isles have tried to move Hickey via trade but so far there have been no takers.
Thomas Hickey D FA Tue 1/5/21 5:12 PM
Thomas Hickey
D FA
The Islanders have been trying to trade Hickey before the season starts, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
EDGE Analysis
This is far from breaking news, as the Isles have been trying to move Hickey and his contract seemingly as soon as he signed it. The reason is not so much that Hickey's play has been poor, but more that they need the cap space in order to sign Mathew Barzal and the fact they have plenty of defenders with a similar skill level. If Hickey remains with the team, he could be on the taxi squad as the seventh defenseman or could head down to the AHL, where his salary wouldn't count against the cap.