The 36-year-old Clutterbuck still wants to continue his NHL career this season. If interested, the all-time leader in hits could be a fit in Rod Brind'Amour's system
Last week the Carolina Hurricanes completed what is likely their last piece of major business before training opens up in a couple of weeks when the team re-signed RFA Seth Jarvis to a 8-year contract. However, with the news a few days prior to re-signing Jarvis that fellow Hurricanes forward Jesper Fast will miss the 2024-2025 season after undergoing neck surgery, that opens the door for GM Eric Tulsky to make one last addition to his roster to replace Fast if he chooses to do so.
One player that would be a cheap addition that is still a UFA is former Islander in Cal Clutterbuck.
Clutterbuck, 36, still plans on continuing his NHL career despite reaching the 1,000 career games played milestone last year with the Islanders. Although he has slowed down over the last few years with a lot of bumps and bruises along the way from his style of play, Clutterbuck still has the desire to play in the NHL, as the 17-year veteran continues to chase the ever-elusive Stanley Cup.
While Clutterbuck doesn't play with the same speed that Fast does at this point in his career, he still could be a suitable replacement. Clutterbuck and Fast both recorded 19 points last season, though Fast only played in 73 games compared to Clutterbucks' 82 games.
Clutterbuck, the all-time leader in hits with 4,029, scored 7 goals, 12 assists for 19 points last season which was the highest totals since the 2018-2019 season.
Aside from chipping in occasionally offensively, Clutterbuck is an experienced penalty-killer, an area the the Hurricanes could use with Fast sidelined for the upcoming season. Clutterbucks' style of relentless forechecking and throwing hits would fit in nicely with the way Canes head coach Rod Brind'Amour wants his team to play.
Whether or not Clutterbuck would have interest in the Hurricanes is the question. The native of Welland, Ontario has called Long Island home for the last 11 years and lives on the Island year round. With having a young family it is not known if Clutterbuck would want to go too far away, despite his desire to continue his career. It is possible that Clutterbuck is hoping to still return to the Islanders or maybe land with a team a little bit closer to home in the New Jersey Devils.
In the event that Clutterbuck would go to the Hurricanes if GM Eric Tulsky dialed up his agent Patrick Morris, the fit could be there for both sides.
In 1,064 games played during his career between the Minnesota Wild and New York Islanders, Clutterbuck has scored 143 goals, 150 assists and 293 points.