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 has finally 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 — fits 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 preseason finale against the Rangers at UBS Arena. Julien Gauthier and Hudson Fasching are also 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, could be in the mix as well.
The Islanders open their regular season hosting Utah on Thursday.
Martin is still in training camp on a professional tryout offer but it’s not likely he’ll 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.
“Casey and Cal are fast skaters,” Roy said. “ They’re energy guys. They’re very reliable offensively, defensively. There was a time where we were saying, ‘Oh, the first two lines will provide scoring.’ 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 being the 11th overall pick in 2018. He said he’s finally fully healthy after suffering an ACL injury to his left knee two seasons ago.
“For me, I’ve got to bring it for those guys,” said Wahlstrom, who had two goals and four assists in 32 games last season. “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 was eventually used as the top line’s left wing.
MacLean said it does feel different coming to training camp with an established role.
“Yeah, definitely,” said MacLean, who had four goals and five assists in 32 games last season. “But the same mentality. You’ve got to stay on your toes. You can’t get comfortable in any way.”
Notes & quotes: Right wing Kyle Palmieri (maintenance) was held out of the lineup . . . Defenseman Scott Mayfield, who played in four of the first five preseason games, did not dress on Friday but Roy said that was not to protect him from the Rangers’ wrath. Mayfield leveled Filip Chytil at center ice in the Islanders’ 6-4 preseason loss at Madison Square Garden on Sept. 24, prompting Ryan Lindgren to stand up for his teammate. The defenseman suffered an upper-body injury in the fight and is out week-to-week. Grant Hutton, a strong candidate to beat out Samuel Bolduc and Dennis Cholowski as the seventh defenseman, was paired with Mike Reilly.
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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