The recent era of Islanders hockey has seen its share of impact players. Josh Bailey has remained a loyal piece to the Islanders organization who has a knack for big moments, sitting top-ten in games played and assists. Brock Nelson has also emerged as a top-six center recently, showing massive signs of progress under Barry Trotz. However, most recently, Anthony Beauvillier and Mathew Barzal have continued to develop as impact talents in the top six. However, despite the flashy names, there is one sought after that has been a mainstay over the past few years. Casey Cizikas, a pending free agent this summer, has been a member of the Islanders organization since 2009, joining as a fourth-round pick of that year’s draft.

After spending 12 years in the organization, Cizikas has developed into an NHL-caliber player who has meant so much to the Islanders. Looking at the stats on paper, he seems like your typical fourth-line player. In 590 NHL contests, Cizikas has tallied 81 goals and 104 assists for 185 points. However, in recent years, he has developed into a regular contributor in the lineup.

His run as a key piece started back in 2015 when he centered a line with Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck. With several new faces entering the lineup that season, including Nikolai Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski, the three were put together as the team’s fourth line. However, that line excelled when on the ice, playing a very physical, aggressive brand of hockey. It was a line that could set the tone of the game early and often, and some analysts referred to it as the best fourth line in hockey at times.

The two enjoyed a very strong two-year run together until the end of the 2016 season, and the Islanders benefited from the performance of that line. The Islanders made the playoffs in both of those seasons, even winning their first playoff series since 1993 in 2016. The line may not have done the most in terms of the score, but they set the tone and allowed the Islanders to find their footing in the games they played. However, in the two years that followed, the line was broken up as Matt Martin left for the Toronto Maple Leafs in free agency.

With Martin’s departure, the Islanders endured two playoff-less seasons, and Cizikas saw his production dip with the changes. He didn’t have a bad 2016-17 season, tallying eight goals and 17 assists, but things went south when Doug Weight took over. His production took a noticeable decline between injuries and the lack of defensive structure, only getting seven goals and 10 helpers along with a -12 rating. After that kind of season, there were questions as to whether or not he could be a key contributor, especially considering he was in the second year of a somewhat hefty five-year, $16.75 million contract.

However, once the Lou Lamoriello era began, the run of form he had a few years earlier came back to life. Not only by hiring a structure-based coach in Barry Trotz, but Matt Martin also came with Lamoriello in a trade during July 2019. With the “E=MC^2” line reunited, Cizikas returned to being a catalyst for the lineup. He enjoyed a career year in 2018-19, tallying 20 goals, a career-high, and 13 helpers for 33 points, along with tremendous two-way production with a +22 rating. His play was a major reason why the Islanders were able to surprise people and return to the playoffs that season and the line regularly started games for Trotz before this season.

However, what proves his value further is the team’s performance the next year. Cizikas played great hockey with strong defensive play to go with 10 goals and four assists, but his team’s performance stalled without him in the lineup. He suffered from an injury in February 2020, and after he went out the Islanders went on a long slump. Despite winning a few games, the Islanders had some long slumps, including a west coast slide and losing streak heading into the COVID-19 pause.

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The numbers may not have been as high for Cizikas in the shortened year as fans may have hoped, only seven goals and seven assists, but there is no denying the impact he has on the team. He has been a strong leader in the locker room, winning two straight Bobby Nystrom Awards for his hustle and leadership. After Trotz took over, his two-way play has returned to the norm he established a few years earlier, and his chemistry with Martin and Clutterbuck is undeniable.

Although we don’t know what the future holds for Casey Cizikas and Clutterbuck, a pending unrestricted free agent next season, it is a gamble to let at least one of them go this offseason. Those two have been vital to the Islanders’ success and the results are there to prove it. Considering the Islanders’ salary cap situation, it will likely take a pay cut to keep Casey Cizikas on Long Island with Beauvillier and Adam Pelech having restricted free agent status. However, if Lamoriello and company can negotiate a fair contract, he should be remain where he made a name for himself.

Matthew Page

I am a first year student at Hofstra University and an avid Islanders fan. I have been writing for Drive4Five since March 2020. My family has been season ticket holders for the team since 2016, and hockey is my favorite sport. As I expand my knowledge in the field of Journalism, I am writing to express my love for the Islanders and the NHL.