There are no sure things when it comes to the NY Islanders new 4th line

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At this point in the off-season, NY Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello has essentially confirmed what we all expected; Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck will not be returning to the Islanders next season.

“We’ll probably be moving on,” Lamoriello told Ethan Sears of The NY Post. “That isn’t saying things can’t change. We’re talking about two veterans, two quality individuals. Two team leaders and two real good hockey players, so we’ll have to see how things come about. But we haven’t changed our thought process today any different than the last time we spoke.”

Two of the greatest hitters in NHL history and players who have been synonymous with the Islanders since they first pulled over a blue and orange sweater leave a hole in the "Identity Line," but the Islanders have options to fill in the gaps.

It will be a new look fourth line, but it's difficult to chisel any names in stone for opening night.

There will be a major position battle

As the lineup is currently constructed, Casey Cizikas is likely the first name inserted into Patrick Roy's fourth line. A role he's played throughout most of his career, Cizikas knows what's expected of him from his head coach. But last season he played throughout the lineup after the emergence of Kyle MacLean, making him valuable to Roy if holes need to be plugged higher up the lineup.

MacLean is probably the second name, who can slot in besides Cizikas. He signed a 3-year deal with a $775k cap hit this summer, as he and Cizikas are both capable of playing down the middle or the wing.

Here's where it becomes more tricky. There's only one spot open with two or three players battling for the position.

Simon Holmstrom emerged as an everyday NHLer last season and is still young at just 23 years old. Drafted in the first round in 2019, hope was that Holmstrom would be fighting for a top-6 role, but his two-way play has made him an option further down the lineup and a position he's perfectly capable of flourishing in.

Hudson Fasching was the Islanders' version of MacLean in 2022-23 but took a step back last season. After playing in 49 games in 2022-23 after being called up midway through the season, Fasching appeared in only 45 contests last season despite being with the Islanders all season. Unlike Holmstrom who has more upside as a point producer, Fasching is your prototypical fourth-line player and has found his best success with the Islanders in the role.

Then there's Pierre Engvall and Anders Lee. With Oliver Wahlstrom signing a one-year extension this summer, there's still a possibility he'll be moved before the start of training camp. But if not, Wahlstrom will be at training camp battling for a job. If he does earn that job, it'll be in the top 9 as his game doesn't transition to the fourth line - meaning someone will be bumped further down the lineup.

Engvall's best fit is on the third line next to Pageau, but if need be, he can slot alongside Cizikas playing more of a checking role, using his speed to break pucks out against the opponent's top lines.

Lee struggled mightily at the beginning of the season but picked things up during the Islanders' playoff push. During the final two weeks of the season and into the playoffs, Lee was one of the Islanders' best players. But at 34 years old, that goal-scoring touch isn't the same as earlier in his career. The big physical body he is, Lee could find himself in a fourth-line role if Wahslstrom forces his way into the lineup. It wouldn't be ideal to have a $7M player on the bottom line, but at this point in his career, it may be a role the captain has to settle for.

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There will be a major position battle

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