Going into training camp, the New York Islanders had seven defensemen on the roster. And that’s without Noah Dobson on the team. With the Isles 12th overall pick form 2018 in the mix, the number of blueliners on the roster went up to eight.
That’s just too many defensemen. Teams usually carry seven defensemen. Naturally, that meant one would have to go. Either through trade or through the waiver wire. Unfortunately, for Thomas Hickey he was the odd man out.
But why did the Islanders send an NHL veteran defenseman who can put up between 20-25 points and is good at protecting the blueline?