William Dufour at NHL Rookie Showcase It's still a toss-up. Or is it? A full decade has gone by since the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/united-states-hockey-hall-of-fame-induction-2023-stan-fischler] acquired feisty Cal Clutterbuck [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/cal-clutterbuck-new-york-islanders-milestone-1000-games-300-points-500-blocks] from the Minnesota Wild for classy Nino Niederreiter [https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/n/niedeni01.html], and we're still debating who won the deal. When the exchange was made on June 30, 2013, it looked like the Isles were the losers. General manager Garth Snow had relinquished a 6-2, stylist for a 5-11 grit guy, and Nino was five years younger than Cal. It seemed like a no-brainer win for Minny. Aha! But it wasn't; not by a long shot, a slap shot nor Mrs. Murphy's Chowder. READ MORE: Ralph Macchio on Being a Lifelong Islanders Fan [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/ralph-macchio-new-york-islanders-stan-fischler-exclusive-interview] The fact is that over the ten years since the exchange was made, Clutterbuck has proven to be more the dependable stick handler; a fixture with the Orange and Blue; not to mention the balance wheel of the Identity Line with Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin. By contrast, Niederreiter has bounced around like a pelota on a Jai-Alai court. He's gone from Minnesota (2013-14 through 2018-19) to Carolina (2018-19 through 2021-22) to Nashville (2022-23) and now Winnipeg. Meanwhile, Clutterbuck has been as much a fixture on the Island as Shinnecock Bay, where I once nearly drowned in 1953 during a fall fishing expedition with Lew Klotz. "Cal brings a physical dimension to the game that allows skill players to play with more confidence and freedom," Lou Lamoriello told me the other day. "He knows the game and has a high hockey I.Q." It's not that Niederreiter has hurt the teams on which he's played. Nino's six years in the Land of 10,000 Lakes were arithmetically productive early on but faded -- only nine goals and 36 points in 46 games -- by the start of the year, 2019. That slump inspired a trade. On January 17, 2019, Nino was dispatched to Carolina, where he seemed at home. But when he became a free agent on July 21, 2022, he signed with Nashville and was supposed to help the Preds' playoff drive. But his game was under par, and last February, he was dealt again. Winnipeg Jet general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff only gave up a second-rounder in the 2024 Draft for Nieder. When I contacted Chevvy a few days ago, he waxed enthusiastic about his acquisition. In 22 regular season games late last season, Nino was 6-7-13, and in five playoff games 1-3-4. Not bad at all. Cheveldayoff: "Nino has been a great fit with us in his short time in Winnipeg. He's a real pro and has emerged as a reliable player who'll go to the hard areas to score. He has a very good shot and is very skilled at using his body to protect the puck down low and take it to the net." Plus, at age 31, he figures to still have some good offensive hockey in his overalls. Clutterbuck, by contrast, is in the final year of his two-year deal with Lou. Based on the information above, I recently asked The Hockey News savvy Contributing Editor Brian Costello how he analyzes the Cal-Nino trade. (Frankly, I was pleasantly surprised at his response.) "The Isles have made out extremely well in dealing Niederreiter for Clutterbuck," Costello explained. "At the time, there was risk involved. Especially when you trade away a player with top-six upside for a player who is destined to be a bottom-six support player. "New York wanted more snot in the lineup, and Clutterbuck, not surprisingly, delivered in spades. He's a physical force on every shift and has made the Islanders tougher to play against. Any offense he's provided has been a bonus." Forget about Nino's travels, he's developed well but not well enough to be called a solid middle-six player. "He's important," Costello added, "but not regularly a game-changer." Niederreiter's new Winnipeg boss is more optimistic. "With the changes we've made over the summer," asserted Cheveldayoff, "I see Nino becoming even a bigger part of our forward group as well as a strong part of our new leadership group. On top of it all, he's simply a wonderful person who's very well-liked and respected by his teammates." Ditto for Clutterbuck. "Cal has been known to change games with an important hit or strong defensive play," Costello concluded. "That's why he'll be a worthy addition to the NHL's 1,000-game club this autumn." Upon further review -- and Costello's postscript -- The Winner: Clutterbuck!
