Islanders sign Casey Cizikas to five year extension

The New York Islanders have signed center Casey Cizikas to a five year extension worth $16.75 million. 

Casey Cizikas is an important player for the New York Islanders moving forward. As the team’s fourth line center, Cizkikas had a career year in 2015-16 with a career high 30 points and 22 assists. At times he had to take on third line center duties due to injuries, and he flourished in those scenarios. The Islanders noticed that and have signed the 25-year-old center to a five year deal worth $16.75 million.

“Casey has developed into a highly dependable two-way center and we’re pleased to sign him through 2021,” general manager Garth Snow said, via NHL.com. “His energy and passion both on the ice and in the community, make him an invaluable piece of our lineup.”

His price tag is a tad bit much for a bottom six player, and he has never been a strong possession player. The Islanders will be hoping that the 2015-16 season was more than just a fluke. Cizikas was drafted by the Islanders in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Draft and made his NHL debut during the 2011-12 season. In 290 regular season games for the Islanders, Cizikas has 83 points (29 goals and 54 assists). He also has eight playoff points in 24 career playoff games. Of Cizikas’ 29 career regular season goals, eight of them have been game winners and three of them have been scored while short-handed.

It’s interesting that the Islanders did this now as opposed to after July 1, when their new ownership group takes over. That shows that the Islanders clearly value Cizikas quite highly.

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