NY Islanders alum Cal Clutterbuck talks Lou's rules and legacy on Spittin Chiclets

For years, New York Islanders fans watched players across the NHL sit down with Spittin’ Chiclets and wondered: where are our guys? Where are our alumni? broadcasters? Rangers, Bruins, Penguins — they all rolled through. The Islanders? Silence. And as Cal Clutterbuck confirmed when he finally appeared on the show on Tuesday, that silence wasn’t by accident.

Under Lou Lamoriello, players didn’t ask, and the hosts didn’t bother asking. Everyone knew the deal.

When Biz (Paul Bissonnette) asked Clutterbuck if Lou ever flat-out told him no, the veteran laughed: “Never. It never even went that far. I just knew.” "I would have loved to do it, but I get it from both sides," said Clutterbuck. That’s Lou’s effect. His rules didn’t need to be explained; they were understood, and they were followed.

What’s notable is Clutterbuck’s respect for the system. “It’s so good for you as a player. Like you got nothing to worry about. By all means, I could have came on here and said something really [expletive] dumb… it just takes that all out of the equation.”

Lou’s approach wasn’t about suffocating personality - it was about protection. No podcast controversies, no off-ice distractions. As Clutterbuck put it: “We didn’t do appearances during the year. We played hockey, went home to our families, and lived our lives. As long as you were a good guy, good human being, and a good teammate, you were fine.”

But times are changing. The clearest sign came this summer when the Islanders’ No. 1 overall pick, Matthew Schaefer, joined Chiclets just days after being drafted. That moment alone signaled that the organization’s stance toward media had shifted. A Lou-era Islanders prospect would never have been anywhere near that couch.

Now, the door is open. It’s not just young players like Schaefer stepping into the spotlight - even retired veterans like Clutterbuck, who remain tied to the franchise through broadcasting and alumni events, can finally share their stories. And as his interview proved, they have plenty of them.

For fans, this new openness feels overdue. Islanders supporters have long craved access to the personalities behind the jerseys. During Lou’s tenure, the silence brought stability and respectability - something the franchise badly needed. But today, the Isles can enjoy both: professionalism on the ice and personality off it. Clutterbuck summed it up best: “He’s a really great human being. He’ll do anything for his players and, as a player, that’s really all you can ask for.” Lou’s legacy is one of loyalty and structure. Now, a new chapter begins - one where players can tell their stories without fear, and fans can finally hear them.