Islanders: Casey Cizikas Expectations For 2021-2022

To no surprise, the New York Islanders spent this past offseason figuring out a way to keep Casey Cizikas here for the long term. Cizikas, who was drafted by the Islanders back in 2009, now has 10 years of NHL experience under his belt at this level.

Last year was another steady season for arguably the best fourth-line center in the sport. He played in all 56 games for the Islanders putting up 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists).

He was on pace for a 21 point season over a full 82 games, getting his regular 13:50 of ice time per night. After a rather unproductive stint in the bubble last year during the playoffs, we’d later find out he was injured, he bounced back this past playoff.

His biggest moment? An overtime game-winner against the Boston Bruins in Game 2.

That’s no surprise to fans who have followed this team for a while. While Cizikas isn’t necessarily an impact player, he plays his role very well and has been known to come up big in the clutch. With Cizikas locked in for six more years on Long Island, Islanders fans hope that he has a few more big moments like this left in him.

2021-2022 expectations for Casey Cizikas

Like always, Cizikas will center Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck on the Islanders’ fourth line. Cizikas will play between 13:30 and 14:00 of ice time per night and be somewhere around 52.5% on faceoffs.

As far as it goes with production, Cizikas will finish with 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists) and play somewhere around 70-75 games on the season. With his physical play, Cizikas tends to get banged up so to predict a full 82 game season is tough for me.

One more prediction for you, this won’t be the last year of the identity line. Despite Cal Clutterbuck being a free agent after the season, they will find a way to keep him in the mix for a couple of more seasons.