Islanders' Hamonic won't play Thursday vs. Avalanche, likely to return Saturday
Rick Osentoski / USA TODAY Sports
The New York Islanders will play at least one more game without Travis Hamonic, their best two-way defenseman when they face the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.
From Newsday's Arthur Staple:
Capuano said Hamonic was "real close" to playing tonight. Seems like Saturday in SJ is a safe bet. #Isles
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) October 30, 2014
In six games this campaign, Hamonic has managed just one goal, but he's logging the most minutes per game of any Islanders defender at even-strength.
The Islanders will obviously be eager to get him back in the lineup. Despite upgrading their blue-line and their goaltending significantly this offseason, the Islanders are the sixth most permissive defensive team in the league in terms of goals per game so far this season.