The New York Islanders have introduced some new faces to the crew this offseason. These new additions becoming a member of the crew will seemingly finish the tenures of a number of long-time Islanders. There are three gamers who’re significantly unlikely to return to the crew for the 2024-25 season.
Matt Martin
Matt Martin has been some of the beloved Islanders over the past decade. He served because the crew’s major enforcer whereas offering a hard-hitting presence on the fourth line. Whereas Martin’s willingness to combat actually anyone has been of use to the Islanders, he could have skated his final recreation for the crew. Turning 35 amidst the 2023-24 season, Martin began to point out some notable indicators of decline. Whereas he may nonetheless have the drive and skill to play despite that, it doesn’t make sense for him to return.Â
The emergence of Kyle MacLean in addition to the additions of Anthony Duclair and Maxim Tsyplakov have heightened the crew’s depth at ahead. As well as, the Islanders have principally no extra cap area left to spend, so that they’d should do some maneuvering to carry Martin again on even a minimal deal. That being stated, it simply makes extra sense to make use of the gamers obtainable to them moderately than making an effort to carry Martin again for a season wherein he’ll flip 36 years outdated.Â
Cal Clutterbuck
Together with the aforementioned Martin and Casey Cizikas, Cal Clutterbuck has been instrumental to the Islanders’ fourth line. Since becoming a member of the Islanders through commerce in 2013, Clutterbuck has made a dwelling as one of many league’s most frequent hitters. This previous season, he grew to become the primary ever participant within the NHL to succeed in the 4,000-hit threshold. He’s additionally been a daily on the penalty killing unit all through his Islanders tenure. Clutterbuck has maintained his typical degree of play even via final season, ending within the prime 5 within the NHL in hits.
Nevertheless, like Martin, Clutterbuck is an older participant at a place the Islanders have lots of energy at. The one factor making his return barely extra seemingly than Martin’s is his continued success as a hitter, which no participant on the present roster may effectively replicate. However given the crew’s depth and present cap scenario, it’s unlikely that Clutterbuck might be again in an Islanders uniform.Â
Oliver Wahlstrom
Of the gamers talked about on this checklist, Oliver Wahlstrom is essentially the most possible departure heading into the brand new season. Lou Lamoriello mentioned Wahlstrom’s standing on the draft and appeared to be trying to give him a possibility elsewhere. The previous eleventh general choose has had a tough highway within the NHL after a promising rookie marketing campaign. He by no means was capable of replicate his success as a scorer and struggled to maintain a spot within the lineup. Barry Trotz, Lane Lambert and Patrick Roy all tried utilizing Wahlstrom and finally determined to restrict his taking part in time.Â
With that, it’s clearly finest for the participant and the crew to maneuver on. The 24-year-old Wahlstrom nonetheless has some promise however received’t have a lot of an opportunity to attempt to develop it with the Islanders. The crew is fairly settled at winger, and Roy didn’t make the most of him a lot in any respect throughout his tenure. Wahlstrom wants an opportunity to play extra persistently, and that likelihood will sadly not include the Islanders.Â
Featured picture courtesy of NHL.com
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