New York Islanders 2017-18 Way Too Early Forward Lineup

Line Four – Grit and Grizzel

Center: Casey Cizikas
Left-Wing: Jason Chimera
Right-Wing: Cal Clutterbuck

There isn’t much question on this lineup. Casey Cizikas is a fantastic center at the fourth line role for the Islanders. He kills penalties, he plays a full 200-foot game, he’s defensively sound. He can do everything that’s asked of him.

He’s far from a complete player, no one’s going to say that Cizikas is a great offensive player. But his 18-29 point production over the last few seasons are good enough to justify his average 14 minutes of ice-time in a game.

To give the kids room to play on that third line, 20 goal scorer Jason Chimera gets bumped down to the fourth line. And that’s alright. At 38-years-old his legs could probably use a little more rest. Making him all the more effective when he’s out there.

Cal Clutterbuck takes up the last spot on the line. Like there was ever any doubt that the human battering ram that is Clutterbuck wouldn’t fit here.

After Matt Martin, Clutterbuck lands to most hits in a given season over the lat few years. He a relentless forechecker and aggressive competitor.

Next: Linus Soderstrom Is The Isles Future Goalies

There’s no room for Nikolai Kulemin in this lineup, or Shane Prince, or even Alan Quine for that fact. It remains to be seen what happens with these individuals, but if the lineup produces like it should produce, should is imperative here, the New York Islanders are in good shape heading into 2017-18.