Garth Snow has
signed alternate captain, fan favorite, clutch, goal scoring PK’er, Cal
Clutterbuck to a 5-year contract extension worth $3.5M AAV, broken-down as
follows: 2017-18: $5M 2018-19: $4M 2019-20: $3.5M 2020-21: $2.5M 2021-22: $2.5M
per @CapFriendly. The 29-year-old Clutterbuck has 2 & 7 for 9 points in
25 games and has usually been a factor for the successes in the wins New York
has put together this season. He was coming off a career best (goals, 15 &
points, 23) last year and like Casey Cizikas, has proven himself as more than a
4th line player to the Islanders. The front loaded contract is a
safety net for Snow and the Isles to allow a more trade friendly scenario if
the relationship sours. It’s a lot of money for another likeable agitator, but
Clutterbuck is more than that. Again, much like Cizikas, Clutterbuck brings a
dynamic to the team that they struggle to replace without them.
And I am not
saying the Islanders shouldn’t focus on adding better, top end complementation to
the aid of John Tavares, but let’s be real and consider what the big picture looks like. Andrew Ladd and Jason Chimera have been contributing slowly, but
not anywhere as near expected. When you have a proven commodity like the Isles
do in Cizikas and Clutterbuck who can and have changed the fortune of countless
games, you try and retain them. It’s easy to bash the team and the GM for the
same shortcomings that befall them, and you should. Winning is the goal and
they haven’t been able to figure out how to ice a consistent winner with
veteran add-ons and promising prospects, but you should also consider the ire
generated from “letting go” of players like Okposo, Nielsen and Martin. Losing
Nielsen was crushing, but he left to go somewhere else with better money on the
table at home and although Okposo and Martin may have scored goals or brought
it each and every shift, they weren’t worth the prices they were asking.
Especially from a team that needs to plan on how they will be able to keep a
free agent in John Tavares, even if he signs on again for a home-town discount.
Eric Hornick
points out, “With Clutterbuck extended until 2021-22, every #isles F is now
under contract for next yr. (Seidenberg and Greiss are only pending UFAs).”
Our New York Islanders
defeated the St. Louis Blues on Thursday by a 3-2 score and are now better than
an NHL .500 for the first time all season. They are 11-10-5 and sit 14th in the
Eastern conference. Troubles are plenty, but the team has definitely done some
damage over the last few games by beating Pens, Caps and their rival Rangers on
Tuesday in a physical and energetic fashion. Special teams have been a problem for
New York with consistency. Their PP is struggling once again and is tied for
the last in the league (FLA at 13.5%). Interestingly enough, they are 3-4-3
when they score at least one power play goal and 8-6-2 when they do not
(Hornick). Their improving PK is 13th in the league at 83.3%. “The Isles have
not allowed a power play goal in their last 8 games, stopping all 19 opponent
opportunities.” They must also do a better job of building leads and holding on
late in the game. What else is new, right?
They are 6-2-2
in their last 10 and a few players have begun to catch fire. John Tavares has
extended his point scoring streak to 4 games and Josh Bailey had a 6 game
point scoring streak end last night. Anders Lee has scored 7 goals in his last
8 games and has scored 10 points on the season so far. Eric Hornick tells us
that the Isles have scored at least three goals (excluding shootout winners) in
five straight games. And we know there is something to that magic number of 3 (10-1-2)
that he always talks about. They are also 7-1-3 when they score first and are
4-9-2 when they allow the opening goal. Offense is the key,
especially when the defense contributes the way it does, so the recent
offensive push is what they need to continue their climb from the eastern
conference, slump-induced basement.
Isles Notes:
Per
@TheHockeyNews, “John Tavares scores after making one of the most unique moves
ever.”
Per Eric
Hornick, “The Isles are 18-1-3 all-time at Barclays Center against Western
Conference opponents.”
Are the Islanders
looking for a new President? Yes. With an infusion of new brass blood just like the
Lightning did by hiring Steve Yzerman, the Islanders will be looking into some
big name alumni and NHL icons. Pat LaFontaine, Brad Richards and Kevin Gilmore
have been names I’ve read, rumored to be on the team’s list of prospective
candidates.
Jaro Halak is 5-6-5,
2.88gaa and a .912Sv% on the season. Thomas Greiss is 6-4-0, 2.42gaa and a
.919Sv%. JF Berube has dressed as the back-up for 9 straight. Per Hornick, “Berube
would be UFA if he does not play at least 30 minutes in 22 games this season.”
The islanders are at the Blue Jackets on Saturday at 7pm.
Attention Isles Fans:
Blue And Orange Army Hardcore is running their 4th annual Toys for Tots, toy drive right
now at Islanders Home Games through December 18th. They are collecting new,
unwrapped toys outside section 228/229 to benefit the Marine Charity.
Be sure to see
Craig, Sharon, Fess or Tbone for more information.
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