As we continue to focus on the Islanders positional outlook for the offseason we have reached part three of our five part series. Today we move to the forwards and we are splitting them up into to three parts. Today I will focus on the fourth line and later in the week Noel will tackle the middle six and I will finish up the with the top line.

The E=mc2 line has become one of the best fourth lines in the league. There is no denying the lines effectiveness and value to this hockey club. The line features Casey Cizikas, Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin. These three individuals bring speed, toughness, physicality and scoring ability.
The trio combined for a whopping thirty-three goals during the 15/16 campaign. Matt Martin led the league in hits yet again and Cal Clutterbuck wasn’t too far behind. This line simply did everything that Head Coach Jack Capuano asked of it and also shined a light on the shortcoming of the middle six forwards. This was the Islanders only consistent source for hard-work, sandpaper and grit and the collective lack of it was exposed against the Lightning in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

As we reach the offseason this line may look different heading into opening night come this October. Cal Clutterbuck is under contract for one more season and restricted free agent Casey Cizikas will be resigned. The final piece is still a question mark, as we do not know what will become of Matt Martin.

Martin is set to become a free agent on July 1st and his return will come down to strictly money. We all love Matt Martin. We love the passion and the effort that he puts out on a nightly basis. With that being said you simply cannot overpay for a fourth line player.

This is a dollar and sense league and the dollars that make sense is 2.5 million per year tops. Take off your orange and blue glasses and he is probably at best a 2 million dollar a season player but I personally would be willing to go up to 2.5 per year. Anything above that is simply too much money. In the cap era you cannot over pay your fourth line players because you like them. Ask the Bruins. Would the Isles have Johnny Boychuk if the Bruins signed Gregory Campbell and Chris Kelly to better deals?

So what is the plan if Martin walks? I will break that answer down on three fronts. Let’s look at what the Isles have currently on their roster, in the minors and who may help via free agency.
There are ten thousand questions surrounding the Islander’s forwards this summer. While I do not expect all of them to be back Martin could have an expensive replacement in either Nikolay Kulemin or Josh Bailey. A large part of me hopes that neither will return but if they are still contracts dragging the team down let’s put them in a role that could help this roster.

Even as I write this I can’t get through it without changing my mind. Bailey would be a horrible pick to play on the fourth line and should be on the third perhaps. I had a moment of clarity mid-sentence. While expensive, Nikolay Kulemin would probably be fine on the fourth line. Would the line take a step back? Probably, but I am trying to use what I have on this roster. Kulemin is capable of filling that role however this is probably not the best return on investment.

I actually think Matt Martin’s replacement may be in the AHL. Some will scoff at this comment, but I believe that Mike Halmo deserves a shot. He has vastly improved every season with the Sound Tigers and I think his skating ability is finally at a point where he can play in the NHL. Halmo hits everything that moves, will stand up for his teammates even though he is undersized and can score as well. The 25 year old had a career year for Bridgeport scoring 22 goals and adding 19 assists which was good for a career high 41 points. I’m not saying hand him the job if Martin leaves but I do think he has a legit chance to win that role out of training camp.

The Isles can always bring in a free agent to fill this role but as I look at those available I don’t automatically see a guy like Martin. That doesn’t mean that are not options out there. Forwards like Dale Weise and Ryan White are two names that come to mind and could be options if the Isles and Martin do not come to an agreement.

If Martin is able to sign on then that is great but if the price is too steep the Islander will survive. There are options available and the team didn’t loose to Tampa because of the fourth line. They lost because they lacked skill and sandpaper in the top nine forwards and that’s where a major influx of talent is needed.

Join the Discussion: » 354 Comments » Post New Comment

» Thank You Hockeybuzz

» Isles roster set

» Thoughts through Two

» Isles Buzz Podcast - Non John Tavares training camp storylines

» Bettman: Coli is not an option