NY Islanders Plus/Minus for 2023-24: Cal Clutterbuck hopes to have health on his side

PLUS: Giving It His All

There's a reason that very few players reach 1,000 games played, and there's an even better reason that Clutterbuck is on pace to reach the milestone. Clutterbuck is never one to run away from a challenge on the ice.

What makes his talent so unique is Clutterbuck knows when to take a hit and when to throw one. Despite his past injuries, Clutterbuck has never let up on the hits he throws during a game. He understands that a team can't be successful without some physicality. Clutterbuck comprehends that for his linemates to get open ice, he needs to be the one to create it.

During the 2022-23 season, Clutterbuck also stepped up his defensive game, finishing at a +9 - the highest of his career and his first time finishing in the positives since 2019-20. Aside from even strength, Clutterbuck was a big part of the Isles' success on the penalty kill last season, something that wouldn't have been possible without Clutterbuck stepping up with his physicality and blocked shots.