Islanders: Cal Clutterbuck Expectations For 2021-2022

And then there was one. The last player in my 2021-2022 season expectations project is Cal Clutterbuck as we get ready for the New York Islanders to start their season this week. Cal’s been with the Islanders for eight years now and is coming off an 11 point season (4 goals, 7 assists).

Over the past two years especially, Cal Clutterbuck has been banged up a lot which is expected for a fourth-liner now at 33 years old. Two years ago, he played in just 37 games, and then he missed six regular-season games last year too.

Like Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin, he’s relied on a lot for this Islanders team. They love the fourth line and he averaged 13:26 of ice time per game. Since Barry Trotz’s arrival, he’s averaged over 13 minutes every year.

While the production wasn’t really there in the regular season you have to give him some credit for his postseason. He had the same number of goals that he had in the regular season in just 19 games.

Cal Clutterbuck Expectations For 2021-2022

Last year, Cal Clutterbuck was second on the team in penalty kill time for forwards behind only Casey Cizikas. That will likely remain the same as they’re very clearly the Islanders two favorite forwards to use on the PK.

I’d also imagine his ice time overall to be somewhere around 13 minutes. Over the course of a full season, Clutterbuck will likely play somewhere around 65 games and give the Islanders 17 points (7 goals, 10 assists).

He’s entering the final year of a contract but like Matt Martin and Casey Cizikas, he will sign another one to remain with the Islanders after this year. It won’t be nearly as lucrative or as long as the last one but he will remain with the team for two more years before retiring.

Stay tuned for my season expectations article later this week as we look at the team and where they can finish in the regular season.