The Islanders' fourth line is no longer the Identity Line
Casey Cizikas of the Islanders during preseason game against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Tues. Sept. 24, 2024. Credit: Errol Anderson
The personnel finally has changed for the Islanders’ fourth line, long manned by Casey Cizikas, Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck. But also new is how the revamped trio — Cizikas and Kyle MacLean plus whoever wins the job on right wing — will fit into coach Patrick Roy’s plans.
“Different time,” Roy said. “They’re going to bring something different to our team.”
Sharpshooter Oliver Wahlstrom took his turn auditioning for the spot in Friday night’s 5-2 win over the Rangers at UBS Arena in the preseason finale.
“I loved them,” Roy said. “They had a lot of good chances. They had a lot of responsibility because they were playing against [the Rangers’] top line and faceoffs in our zone. They had my trust.”
Julien Gauthier and Hudson Fasching also are candidates as is, perhaps, Simon Holmstrom if he doesn’t wind up on Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s third line. Pierre Engvall, in the second year of a seven-year, $21 million deal but apparently battling for a lineup spot, also could be in the mix.
The Islanders will open their regular season by hosting Utah on Thursday.
Martin still is in training camp on a professional tryout offer but is not likely to start the season on the roster. Clutterbuck remains an unrestricted free agent and will not return. The Identity Line, first put together in 2014, is officially no more.
“There was a time where we were saying, ‘Oh, the first two lines will provide scoring,’ ” Roy said. “Now I hope I’m going to have four lines providing us some scoring.”
Wahlstrom, with his strong shooting abilities, might fit that bill, though he’s struggled to establish himself as a full-time NHL player since becoming the 11th overall pick in 2018.
“For me, I’ve got to bring it for those guys,” said Wahlstrom, who had two shots and was a minus-1 in 11:59. “Play a little more offensively with them. And also forecheck. I’ve just got to put myself in good areas.”
Roy is set on Cizikas and MacLean anchoring the line. MacLean, a midseason call-up last season, took over centering the fourth line as Cizikas eventually was used as the top line’s left wing.
MacLean, a minus-1 with one shot in 11:56, said it does feel different coming to training camp with an established role.
“Yeah, definitely,” he said. “But the same mentality. You’ve got to stay on your toes. You can’t get comfortable in any way.”
Notes & quotes: The Islanders finished the preseason with a 4-2-0 mark . . . The Islanders’ top line had a dominant performance, led by Mathew Barzal’s third-period breakaway goal and four primary assists. Bo Horvat scored twice, including once on the power play as the Islanders went 2-for-4 on the man advantage. Anthony Duclair had a goal and two assists. “I actually hated my first period,” Barzal said. “I didn’t like some of the decisions I made out there.” . . . Goalie Semyon Varlamov made 20 saves in his first full game . . . Right wing Kyle Palmieri (maintenance) was held out of the lineup. Defenseman Scott Mayfield was the other regular not to play. He played in four preseason games
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Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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