The Islanders' fourth line has one returnee in Casey Cizikas. But he's not playing center, at least to start the season.
EAST MEADOW, NY -- The most intriguing trio for the New York Islanders heading into the 2024-25 regular season is the new-look fourth line.
Cal Clutterbuck did not get a contract from the Islanders or any team this summer, as he'll take his talents to MSG Networks until a playing opportunity that works for him and his family presents itself, per Newsday's Andrew Gross.
Matt Martin, who is staying with the team on a PTO, can practice and travel with the team, but he will not be allowed to play until he has a contract.
Casey Cizikas remains the lone survivor but in a different role.
Unlike years past, the 33-year-old will not center the fourth line, with head coach Patrick Roy moving him to the left wing spot.
Kyle MacLean, who signed a three-year extension this summer worth $2.325 million ($775,000 AAV), will play center.
For Roy, having Cizikas on the wing and MacLean at center comes back to last season and sticking with what worked.
"Casey played on the left side towards the end of last year, on the line with Bo and Barzy, and I thought Kyle played really well as the center man on that line with Clutter and Marty," Roy said. "So, we'll just continue to do it that way. That doesn't mean we're not going to go back with Casey as a center and Kyle on the left side. As of now, we're very happy with this."
When the puck drops, IQs take over regarding where Cizikas and MacLean will be on the ice.
But here's the intriguing part, at least one of the intriguing parts.
We'll get to the other big one in a second.
"Right now, Kyle's gonna be the guy in the face-off circle," Cizikas told The Hockey News on Wednesday. "He's strong, he's quick, and him getting those reps in is important. If Macker ever says, 'Zeek, take a draw', I'll go do it. But that faceoff circle is his."
Cizikas, over his 13 years in the NHL, is a career 51.6 percent in the face-off dot.
MacLean, who is entering his first full NHL season, won 105 of his first 142 face-offs, 42.5 percent.
Face-offs are something MacLean worked on all summer and again during training camp.
"It's definitely a trick of the trade, where we got guys like Pageau and Casey who are really good at it," MacLean told THN. "And I think repetitions definitely helps, but that's definitely an area that gets you more ice time. It puts more trust in the coach to put you out there, too.
"So, it's definitely something I need to work on and continue to get better at. But I think repetitions and getting used to the guys you're going against, as well, will help."
The line construction with MacLean and Cizikas is certainly fluid, and Roy isn't too worried about it.
"Casey could jump in on any line. He could be right-wing, could be left-wing, could be the center, and play on the penalty kill. He could go in front of the net on the power play," Roy said. "I'm very fortunate to have a guy like this playing the role that he's playing. "I think Cal could do the exact same thing. He could play center, but he also could play on the wing.
"So, when we're talking about depth, this is exactly what we're talking about, having guys that are capable of jumping in anywhere in the lineup and helping the team."
Now, to the elephant in the room.
The final piece to the fourth line puzzle is Oliver Wahlstrom.
The 24-year-old has yet to develop into the NHL sniper the team envisioned when it drafted him 11th overall in 2018.
An ACL injury, a lack of room in the top six, and a struggle to play a full 200-foot game limited Wahlstrom's playing time since debuting in 2019-20.
But because of his physicality and the strong camp he had -- he came on more so at the end -- earned him a chance to start alongside Cizikas and MacLean.
While Wahlstrom doesn't bring the same physicality or defensive play as Clutterbuck, Wahlstrom's shot allows him to play a similar role to No. 15.
"I like Wahlstrom's scoring touch," Roy said. "I like the way he played against the Rangers on Friday. I liked his training camp overall. He's a guy that has a scoring touch. He's been playing very well defensively."
Throughout Wahlstrom's career, there have been times when it was difficult to tell if he understood his systematic assignments.
It's clear that he understands what's expected of him in this new rule.
"I think the main goal for me is just stick to my game. I think no matter what line I'm playing on, I always want to bring it, you know?" Wahlstrom said. "I want to bring the offensive, the flare back for MacLean and Cizikas. MacLean is a really, really good skater. He creates things, and then Cizikas gets in hard on fore-checks.
"For me, it's finding those open areas and continuing to play my offensive style and play fast."
While two of the three players on this line are different than they've been, Roy wants this line to bring the same game the identity line did for so many years.
"They had a lot of responsibility because they play against the other top line and take face-offs in our zone," Roy said. "And I feel very comfortable. They have my trust. Kyle and Casey they got so much energy, and they play so smart out there. Their speed and how fast they close in on the opponent, that's something that I really love about their game.
"I really hope that Cizikas and MacLean rub off on him."
This line will be tasked with shutting down Utah's top line of Clayton Keller, Barrett Hayton, and Nick Schmaltz.
When those three were on the ice against Chicago on Tuesday night, a 5-2 win, they outscored the Blackhawks 2-1 with seven shots.