NY Islanders 2023-24 Player Reports Card: Cal Clutterbuck Plays in All 82 Games for First Time

A warrior throughout his NHL career and a mainstay on the NY Islanders' "Identity Line," Cal Clutterbuck had a rocky 16th season as a professional. It was the first season he played in all 82 games, but it appears Father Time is catching up with the 26-year-old.

*Read our previously Published player report cards: Sebastian Aho | Mat Barzal | Samuel Bolduc | Casey Cizikas

NY Islanders 2023-24 Report Card: Cal Clutterbuck

The adage goes "The best ability is availability," and that was the case for Clutterbuck this season. Playing the physical style he does every night, remaining healthy for all 82 games is a rarity, but Clutterbuck did so for the first time in his career.

Physicality has been the name of Clutterbuck's game since making his debut with the Minnesota Wild during the 2007-07 season. In March, Clutterbuck became the first player in NHL history to reach the 4,000 mark. With the injuries he's suffered during his career, it took a bit longer than expected to reach the milestone, but despite those injuries, he also reached the 1,000-game milestone in November.

A valuable member of what has been a successful penalty kill in previous years, Clutterbuck struggled while playing a man down this season. This is not to say Clutterbuck was the reason the Isles were so poor on the PK, as the entire unit found it difficult all season to find a rhythm, resulting in the league's worst penalty kill.

A leader on and off the ice, it appears as if Clutterbuck's tenure with the Islanders may be coming to an end. His contract is set to expire on July 1st, and it's unsure if the Islanders will look to keep around an aging fourth-line player. Clutterbuck has expressed his desire to continue playing and remain with the Islanders, as we'll know his fate shortly after free agency opens.

Final Grade: B-