This is de Haan's first practice since suffering an upper-body injury in the preseason. The additions of Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk will push de Haan down the depth chart when he is ready to return. At this point, there is no timetable for his return; he remains on injured reserve.
de Haan was injured in the preseason and the retroactive move allows the Isles to keep some young defensemen on the roster until de Haan is fully healthy. de Haan appeared to be in-line for a heavier workload this season, but the additions of Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk should push him down the depth chart when he returns.
de Haan, 23, had three goals and 13 assists (16 points) with a minus-7 rating in 51 games in his first full season with the Islanders. The 2009 12th overall pick played a key role on the Isles blueline, averaging 21:01 TOI, playing on both the power-play and penalty-kill. de Haan should play 20-plus minutes and is a candidate for 20-plus points in 2014-15.
de Haan left Saturday's game and did not return. de Haan tried to play through it in the third, but ended up heading back to the locker room for the night. Scott Mayfield has been recalled and will make his NHL debut in de Haan's spot.
de Haan was recalled on Thursday, but was a healthy scratch on Friday. He will be inserted into the lineup tonight with Radek Martinek coming out. The 2009 12th overall pick has just one game of NHL experience (2011-12). In 17 games with Bridgeport (AHL) this season he had one goal and two assists. He was a good offensive defenseman in the OHL, but has yet to excel offensively in the AHL to this point (2G / 18A in 76 games).
Not only is de Haan a top prospect but he represents a big part of the team's depth. Expect a further update on the blue chip prospect.
De Haan has no fantasy hockey value while in the AHL. He had no points but took two shots, two hits and a plus-1 in his NHL debut.
Expect De Haan to play with Dylan Reese tonight. The top prospect has two goals and eight points through 22 games in the AHL.
No immediate fantasy hockey value in the AHL.
