New York Islanders 5 Players That Will Bounce Back in 2018-19

Casey Cizikas

For two seasons now Casey Cizkias has had to deal with a season cut short thanks to injury. Two years ago Cizikas was on pace for a career-year of 35 points after scoring 25 in 59 games. Last season he was limited to 64 games and 17 points.

Casey has been off since March 24th, 2018 when he incurred his most recent injury. By the time the 2018-19 season starts in October Casey will have six months to heal and rehabilitate.

Casey will be ready for the next season, and he’ll have the extra motivation of new management and the return of his friend and former linemate Matt Martin after a two-year hiatus in Toronto.

Casey Cizikas should absolutely have a bounce back year in 2018-19. Of this I’m certain. Which is good, because the Islanders desperately need that to be the case.

Last season the Islanders fourth line was far from effective. They didn’t provide any depth scoring. The puck was routinely in their own end when on the ice. And the same guys who are usually so effective on the penalty kill, like Cizikas, where the worst in the league last season.

If the Islanders want any chance at a successful season all of that has to flip.

Casey Cizkias has to return to his productive way, putting up between 25-30 points from the fourth line. He has to keep hounding the opposition in their own zone like we’re used to seeing from him. And he has to be a force on the penalty kill again.

Remember, in terms of the PK, the Islanders held the ninth-ranked penalty kill in both 2014-15 and in 2015-16. The later being at the hight of the Cizikas-Martin-Clutterbuck hype.

The New York Islanders need a productive fourth line again. With Matt Martin back in the fold that should return. But Casey Cizikas has to stay healthy.