Islanders Commit To Clutterbuck

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 4^th 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.