The New York Islanders will be without Travis Hamonic in Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
He’s dealing with a lower-body injury.
The Islanders made the announcement on their Twitter account just hours before puck-drop.
#Isles Day-to-Day: Travis Hamonic out vs. Flyers, Scott Mayfield makes his season debut: https://t.co/qgAaKDA8Wlhttps://t.co/VUp3MafxGd
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 9, 2016
The 25-year-old has been a crucial member of New York’s defense.
He doesn’t put up a ton of points (eight in 41 games), but he’s been averaging almost 24 minutes a night for the Islanders.
Hamonic’s loss is Scott Mayfield’s gain.
Mayfield will play his first NHL game of the season on Saturday.
The 23-year-old had no points and a minus-3 rating while averaging 17:22 of ice time in five games during the 2014-15 season.
He’ll play on the third pairing with Adam Pelech.
The Flyers will be without a young defenseman of their own, as Shayne Gostisbehere will also be out with a lower-body injury.