New York Islanders 5 Worst Contracts on 2018-19 Roster

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NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 03: Cal Clutterbuck #15 of the New York Islanders scores his second goal of the game at 9:53 of the third period against the Dallas Stars at the Barclays Center on January 3, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Islanders defeated the Stars 6-5. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

2. Cal Clutterbuck

Cap Hit: $3.5 million
Production: 4 points, 17 games

We’re in year number two of a five-year $17.5 million deal that Cal Clutterbuck signed with the New York Islanders back in the winter of 2016. He carries an AAV of $3.5 million. He’s a fourth line player.

Fourth line players shouldn’t be paid millions over multiple years. That’s just not how cap management works in the NHL.

Cal’s deal came after a season where he and fellow linemates Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin were dubbed the best fourth line in hockey. The physical and aggressive style of play that the three had no the ice was incredibly beneficial. They combined for 71 points in 2015-16. Again, from the fourth line.

I get paying center Casey Cizikas $3.25 million. He’s one of the better players on the PK in the league, he wins a ton of faceoffs and he can get you ~30 points in a season. And Casey Cizikas was 25 when he signed that deal with the Isles.

Cal Clutterbuck isn’t the same type of player as Casey Cizikas. He’s a good player for his position and he’s clearly great in the locker room. But a long-term $3.5 million deal is a stretch.

This season Cal has four points in 17 games, putting him on pace for 19 points. Which is pretty much where he’s been for the last two seasons.

Cal Clutterbuck isn’t giving the New York Islanders enough to merit that $3.5 million salary cap hit he has this season.