Islanders' Hickey sidelined a month, Bernier out 1-2 weeks

The New York Islanders are accumulating injuries before the regular season has officially started.

Defenseman Thomas Hickey is expected to be sidelined four weeks with an upper-body injury and forward Steve Bernier will be out one-to-two weeks with a lower-body ailment, Islanders coach Jack Capuano told Arthur Staple of Newsday on Tuesday.

Blue-liners Brian Strait and prospect Ryan Pulock are contenders to fill the void for Hickey, who - like Bernier - was injured during Monday's 3-1 preseason setback to the Washington Capitals.

Hickey scored two goals and set up 20 others in 81 games last season. The 26-year-old has recorded seven tallies and 41 assists in 202 career contests - all with New York.

Signed to a one-year deal with the Islanders after agreeing to a professional tryout contract, Bernier scored a career-high 16 goals and set up 16 others in 67 games last season for the New Jersey Devils. The 16th overall pick of the 2003 draft, Bernier has collected 104 goals and 120 assists in 609 career contests with the San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and Devils.

(h/t The Score)