Although Casey Cizikas is still listed on the New York Islanders long-term injured reserve list, it may not be for much longer.
Cizikas wore a white, full-contact jersey at Islanders practice Wednesday morning at Northwell Health Ice Center and was back between Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck as the team took line rushes.
Cizikas has been out since Jan. 9 with a lower-body injury after he blocked a shot off his right ankle in a loss to the Vancouver Canucks. He was officially placed on injured reserve on Jan. 17 and moved to long-term injured reserve on Feb. 3.
Because Cizikas has missed 10 games and more than 24 days of action, he’s eligible to be activated off injured reserve as soon as he’s ready.
Once Cizikas is activated, the Islanders will need to make a move in order to be compliant with the NHL’s salary cap and so that they’re not over the league’s 23-man roster limit.
With Hudson Fasching currently day-to-day with a lower-body injury, placing him on injured reserve is the most likely move. Rookie forward Kyle MacLean, who has filled in Cizkias’ spot while he’s been out, could also be sent back down to AHL Bridgeport without having to pass through waivers.
This story will be updated.
More must-reads: