Islanders Milestone Watch: Cal Clutterbuck
New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck is a warrior in every sense of the world and can reach a few milestones in 2023-24 if health permits it.
We here at The Hockey News have begun our New York Islanders Milestone Watch series for the 2023-24 season. After kicking things off with Matt Martin, we move on to his linemate Cal Clutterbuck.
New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck is a warrior in every sense of the word.
From his skate cut in 2019 to opting for season-ending shoulder surgery in 2021 to missing 33 games this past season with multiple injuries, Clutterbuck has had to grind to continue his playing career.
With one year left on his deal, the 2023-24 season could be Clutterbuck's last, but he's not thinking much past the upcoming season.
"There's a lot that can happen between now and then," Clutterbuck said following the Islanders' playoff loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. "I haven't given it much thought.
"So, I'm just going day by day to prepare for next year as I would play next year. And it's no different than the situation I was in last year, and you know, things just happen, and then we'll cross that bridge when we get there."
Despite being in and out of the lineup this past season, Clutterbuck etched his name in hockey history following a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 21.
In that game up in Toronto, Clutterbuck recorded nine hits, passing former Los Angeles Kings Dustin Brown (3,632) for the most hits in NHL history.
Come season's end, Clutterbuck reached 3,756 career hits.
For a player whose game is built on physicality, the fact that he's persevered through those injuries makes his upcoming milestone one for the ages.
There have been 382 NHL players that have had the privilege to lace up the skates for 1,000 games, and Clutterbuck sits just 18 shy of joining that group.
If Clutterbuck can make it through the start of the season healthy, he will accomplish this feat against the Philadelphia Flyers at UBS Arena on Nov. 22.
Former Islanders forward Josh Bailey reached the 1,000-game milestone this past season.
After being drafted by the Minnesota Wild in 2006, Clutterbuck played six seasons in mini-Canada, accumulating 346 NHL games. His last 636 have come on Long Island.
On top of that milestone, Clutterbuck sits 26 points away from 300 for his career.
The Ontario native had six goals and six assists in 49 games this past season, a 10-goal, 10-assist season if a full 82-game slate.
Although it's unrealistic that Clutterbuck stays healthy for the entire season, maybe he surprises and reaches that point milestone. He does have one of the better releases on the club.
There is one final milestone to discuss, as Clutterbuck sits 37 blocks away from 500 for his career. He can't help giving up his body for the good of the team, and with 33 in 49 games this past season, this milestone is surely attainable.
From the words of general manager Lou Lamoriello during his end-of-the-season press conference, along with the words from Matt Martin and Clutterbuck, the belief is that the Islanders fourth line will be back if health allows it.
Join Stefen Rosner's New York Islanders page on Bunches, a new app that connects sports fans. Also, you can listen to Rosner talk Islanders hockey on Hockey Night in New York with co-host Sean Cuthbert Sunday nights at 8 PM ET during the season.