This piece will be another in my series of player profiles, where I’ll give some thoughts on the performance of a member of the New York Islanders this season. This article will focus on Casey Cizikas.

When Cizikas did play this year, he was solid. He didn’t have the production he did last year but 20 goals on a regular basis is a heck of a lot to ask of a fourth-line center. A lot of forwards on the team take nights off and struggle with consistency but Cizikas usually isn’t one of them. He’s extremely well-rounded for a fourth-line center, between reliability in his own end, adding a physical presence and energy, then putting up some points on top of that. Like Johnny Boychuk, it’s also been reported that should the season resume, he’ll be ready to play.

Speaking of energy though, the “identity line” wasn’t much of a factor this year and though they didn’t spend much time together at all due to injuries, when they did, the line didn’t seem to have the same impact as before. I assume Matt Martin is gone next year so it’ll be interesting to see who ends up playing with Cizikas and if his role changes as a result. Ross Johnston maybe? Johnston-Cizikas-Clutterbuck may be able to accomplish the same thing as Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck last year.

Regardless, Cizikas provides the Islanders with excellent depth down the middle. That’s not based on stars down the lineup necessarily but more so on the fact that with Pageau, New York now has four centers who can all be effective. Cizikas is one of the best fourth-line centers in the league and when he played, he was effective in his role.


Check back tomorrow for a player profile on Cal Clutterbuck!


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OTHER ISLANDERS ARTICLES FROM MARCH

Reviewing the season (so far): Derick Brassard

Reviewing the season (so far): Johnny Boychuk

Reviewing the season (so far): Anthony Beauvillier

Reviewing the season (so far): Mathew Barzal

Reviewing the season (so far): Josh Bailey

The good and the bad of the Islanders’ season (so far)

Islanders need answers

Islanders have a favourable schedule to end the regular season

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