The Islanders’ fourth line, “the best fourth line in hockey,” maybe having their last hurrah.

Casey Cizikas, Cal Clutterbuck, and Matt Martin have anchored the Isles forwards for the last couple of years, becoming a staple of the franchise. When analysts on NHL Network had nothing left to say about the blue and orange, they have always taken the opportunity to gush about what Butch Goring calls the “E=MC^2” line, or more recently, the “Identity Line”.

Looking toward next season, the three consistent linemates may be separated; each for unique reasons.

Casey Cizikas

Following this postseason, Casey Cizkas will become an unrestricted free agent. For the 2021-22 season, the New York Islanders’ projected cap space is -$14,168, according to Cap Friendly. Along with this, a couple of Islanders will be looking for a large payday next season: Anthony Beauvillier, Adam Pelech, and Ilya Sorokin. Pelech has been one of the sweetest deals in the league for the Isles, only contributing 1.6 million dollars towards the cap hit. Teams are willing to pay for Pelech, so even though he is an RFA, the Islanders are going to have to put up big money.

So, the odd player out maybe Casey Cizikas, who currently contributes 3.5 million dollars towards the cap hit. Hockey is a business where everyone wants to get paid, and Cizikas might have to find his money somewhere else.

Matt Martin

Nothing is more hectic in the NHL, or any major professional sports league, than an expansion draft. This upcoming season, the Seattle Kraken will join the NHL. Part of their introduction to the league is taking assets from each team to call their own. The Vegas Golden Knights were in the same spot only a couple of years ago, and are now a favorite in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

So, who the Kraken picks is important not just for their own franchise, but for the entire league. With current expansion draft rules, each NHL team has the opportunity to protect a group of their players. Clubs must either protect seven forwards, three defensemen, and a goaltender, or eight general skaters and a goaltender.

Ben Kule wrote on the 14th his predictions for the expansion draft. In his piece, he believed that Matt Martin would be the selection. I agree.

As the Kraken team will not be extremely skillful, a gritty fourth-liner like Martin could add character to a team that needs it.

Cal Clutterbuck

Clutterbuck currently wears the “A” for the Isles, and I don’t believe that patch is coming off anytime soon. He will continue to be a force in the Isles lineup, with a cap hit of 3.5 million dollars. While Cizikas and Martin may be leaving the Island, Clutterbuck is here to stay for at least one more season.

The line of Clutterbuck, Cizikas, and Martin has gone through a lot of names and a lot of seasons. Though, soon we may be referring to them in the past tense.

John Smark