New York Islanders defenseman Thomas Hickey and forward Steve Bernier will each be sidelined for several weeks with respective injuries.
Hickey will miss a month with an upper-body injury sustained in Monday's 3-1 preseason loss to the Washington Capitals, Islanders head coach Jack Capuano told Newsday's Arthur Staple. Hickey left the game after being struck by a high stick in the first period and didn't return.
Bernier will miss one-to-two weeks with a lower-body injury, according to NHL.com.
Capuano hasn't settled on Hickey's immediate replacement.
Capuano says he hasn't decided who's taking Hickey's spot. Strait is natural choice as LH shot, but Pulock has improved greatly last 2-3 gms
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) September 29, 2015
Goaltender Jaroslav Halak is also day-to-day with an upper-body injury, according to Capuano.
Hickey collected 22 points in 81 games last season, his third with the Islanders.
Bernier signed a one-year deal with the Islanders earlier this month after playing the last four seasons with the New Jersey Devils.