Islanders put Andrew Ladd, Matt Martin and Casey Cizikas on IR, recall Michael Dal Colle and Stephen Gionta
Islanders left wing Michael Dal Colle looks on before a face-off against the Devils at Barclays Center on Jan. 16. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The Islanders’ organizational depth is being tested.
President/general manager Lou Lamoriello announced on Thursday that left wings Andrew Ladd (lower body) and Matt Martin (upper body) and center Casey Cizikas (lower body) have been placed on injured reserve. Forwards Stephen Gionta, 35, and Michael Dal Colle — the fifth overall pick in 2014, who has played in only four NHL games — were recalled from Bridgeport (AHL).
“We certainly know what Stevie brings with the penalty-killing and that role that Casey is in, and Michael is deserving of coming up because of his play,” Lamoriello said.
Dal Colle, 22, has seven goals and seven assists in 14 games for Bridgeport but was a healthy scratch for Thursday night’s 7-5 win over the Rangers at Barclays Center. Gionta took Cizikas’ spot on the fourth line.
Cizikas is expected to miss two to three weeks. Ladd is out indefinitely after appearing to injure his right leg late in the second period of Tuesday’s 5-2 win over the Canucks as he battled along with the boards. Martin, on IR retroactive to Nov. 1, missed his sixth straight game and remains day-to-day.
It’s the latest setback for Ladd, who also missed the preseason and the first three games of the season with a back issue and was limited to 73 games last season because of a back problem. Ladd, in the third season of a seven-year, $38.5-million deal, has three goals and four assists in 14 games, mainly in a third-line role.
Isles files
Defenseman Nick Leddy had two assists . . . Center Mathew Barzal was benched for the rest of the game after his cross-checking penalty at 12:52 of the third period, which led to Chris Kreider’s power-play goal as the Rangers came within 6-4. “I didn’t think Barzy had a great game,” Barry Trotz said. “He’s a terrific young player and that’s a teaching moment . . . ” The Islanders are on a 5-0-2 streak at home . . . Defenseman Adam Pelech returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch on Tuesday. Luca Sbisa was the other healthy scratch.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
