New York Islanders: Casey Cizikas Expectations for 2018-2019
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 13: Casey Cizikas #53 of the New York Islanders reacts against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third period during their game at Barclays Center on February 13, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
After a down year in 2017-2018 with the New York Islanders Casey Cizikas is looking for a bounce-back performance. Here's what you should expect from him.
The last two seasons have been injury prone for our guy Casey Cizikas. He played 59 games with the New York Islanders in 2016-2017 and then 64 games this past year. Previous to that, Cizikas did a relatively good job of staying healthy.
As he gets older that's certainly a concern for him because he plays a physical style of game. Cizikas is heading into his age 27 season with the New York Islanders.
Last year was arguably his worst year in the league. He almost put up identical numbers to his 2013-2014 season when he was just 22 years old. This time around, in an injury-shortened season, Cizikas had 17 points (7 goals, 10 assists).
Where he was successful was the faceoff circle. Zeeker won 53.1 percent of his faceoffs which lead Islanders centers. Another part of his game that was productive was his number of hits. Cizikas had 128 hits last year which put him on a pace for 164 if he played the full year.
With a new system in place, I fully expect Cizikas' hit numbers to go up into the 150's if he is healthy and plays every game.
There's a chance that the Islanders reunite the fourth line from the golden years, the Martin – Cizikas – Clutterbuck line. As much as I loved that line the first go around a lot's changed since then.
Everyone is three years older now and much more costly. Leo Komarov might get a chance on that left wing over Matt Martin on the fourth line, or Casey Cizikas could potentially be moved up to the third line like many believed was going to happen after his new contract.
Cizikas may never produce more than 29 points in a season but in his role, he's a productive NHL player. He plays on the penalty kill regularly and can hit and fight if he needs to.
The Prediction
I think Cizikas stays relatively healthy. He'll likely play between 72 and 80 games this year with maybe a handful of times he needs a break from getting banged up. If he does, like I mentioned, his hit number will go back up to 150 under Barry Trotz.
In addition to that, Cizikas will remain productive at the faceoff dot, winning 52 percent of his faceoffs this year. As far as production goes Cizikas will see a bit of a resurgence in points.
10 goals, 18 assists (28 points)
If the Islanders can get 28 points from their fourth line center I think they'd be ecstatic. Ciziaks is a steady Islander who if healthy can be one of the more productive fourth liners in the league and one of the leaders of this team.
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He's never going to put flashy numbers and maybe he never does live up to this contract but day in and day out Cizikas is a grinder who should thrive under the new system.