Cal Clutterbuck

Clutterbuck is a fixture on the Isles' "Identity Line" with Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin. The trio were long considered the top fourth line in the NHL, but they've lost a step. Still, Clutterbuck is a hit machine and should safely be in the NHL's top five in that category. Category dominance still means something and that makes him a potential late-round target in specialty formats.

Clutterbuck was limited to seven points and 127 hits in 37 games last year after losing time when he was cut in the wrist by a skate. He's still dealing with the effects of that skate cut, which could make the 33-year-old winger more of a rotational player in 2020-21. The potential arrival of Oliver Wahlstrom could also cut into Clutterbuck's playing time, although that won't be of too much concern to fantasy managers. While he's usually good for roughly 20 points and a boatload of hits, Clutterbuck is well past his prime and probably won't exceed 15 points even in an everyday role this year. There are better depth options to fill out your virtual roster.

Back with his buddies Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin on New York's third line, Clutterbuck scored eight goals and 23 points in 2018-19, which matched his best mark in six seasons with the Islanders. Of course, that's not a lot, and Clutterbuck hasn't posted more than eight goals since 2015-16, but he still has some value as a complete fantasy asset. To that point, the 31-year-old winger also recorded a plus-6 rating, 44 PIM, 209 hits, 40 blocks and 95 shots on net in 73 games last season. Owners in deep leagues looking for a productive player in those extra categories who can also score should target Clutterbuck in the later rounds.

The soon-to-be 31-year-old is the ideal fourth-liner, which means he isn't a guy on most fantasy radars. Clutterbuck collected eight goals and 18 points last season, and while he did post 15 goals three seasons ago, he hasn't reached the 25-point plateau since 2011-12. But as every good fourth-liner will do, Clutterbuck supplies several intangibles, some of which are useful to owners in deeper leagues. He's been the Islanders hits leader the past two seasons and accumulated a whopping 226 of those last year. In 2017-18, Clutterbuck also led all Islanders forwards with 53 blocked shots. Consider seizing him up as a late-round add in leagues where hits and blocks are categories. Anything he provides in the scoring columns would be a bonus.

A lower-body ailment limited Clutterbuck to 66 games last season, and he saw a corresponding drop in his typically plentiful hit totals to 222 -- his lowest ever in a non-lockout-shortened campaign. He's not a guy you can count on for much offense -- 20-odd points is about as much as you'll ever see from Clutter -- so hits are where he makes his bacon for fantasy purposes. A healthier 2017-18 for the 29-year-old should see him return his hit totals to the high 200s while playing in the Isles’ bottom-six ranks.

If hits were the most important metric in fantasy hockey, then Clutterbuck would be a perennial top pick. Unfortunately for him, they are not. Playing on arguably the best fourth line in all of hockey, Clutterbuck scored seven goals and nine assists in 76 games. Despite being just 5-foot-11, Clutterbuck still put up an astounding 343 hits, and together with bruising linemate Matt Martin, created an absolutely terrifying tandem where no players are safe from constant body checks. While his fantasy impact may be suppressed due to his low point totals, in leagues where hits matter, he’s one of the best options to solidify that category. He's also shown a deft touch around the net from time to time, and his penalty-killing prowess gives him value in other specialized formats, as he’s been known to pot a shorthanded goal or two every year.

Clutterbuck was acquired from the Wild to give the Islanders another gritty winger - someone who isn't afraid to throw his body around in an attempt to get the opposing team to worry about taking a hit rather than clearing the puck. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, he is only valuable in those leagues that have hits as a category and even in those leagues, he will be kept to about 15 goals, probably none of which will come on the power play.

The trade for Clutterbuck is going to be looked at for a long time by the media and fans alike. Clutterbuck is a bottom-six forward whose greatest value to the team will be as someone who isn't afraid to do the dirty work, as in get in the corners and muck it up. There are a couple of problems with this kind of player. First, his offensive upside is limited, especially playing with lackluster talent on the third and fourth lines. Second, the Isles traded former first-round pick (fifth overall) Nino Niederreiter to obtain his services, a trade that can best be described as selling low. Things won't be pretty if Niederreiter starts to reach his potential and Clutterbuck bombs. Last, a Clutterbuck type would seem to be the kind of player that a team would want to acquire when they are one piece away from completing the puzzle. The Islanders may be on their way, but they are not one piece away.

Clutterbuck is the Wild’s sparkplug and one of several Minnesota players whose value extends far beyond the stat sheet. Regularly one of the league’s leaders in hits, Clutts has value in leagues that reward secondary categories such as penalty minutes and hits. He notched four shorthanded goals last season and registered over 100 penalty minutes. Should he see some time on the team’s top lines -- and we'd love to see him creating space for Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu on the top line -- Clutterbuck could be looking at a 20-goal, 100 penalty minute season.

Thinking quickly, what comes to mind when you hear the name Clutterbuck? If you thought hits, we'd understand. After all, the 23-year-old winger led the league with 318 hits last season. But the aggressor has also shown some offensive prowess, having notched 19 goals and 15 assists in 2010-11. Actually, Clutterbuck has seen his point totals rise in each successive year that he's been in the NHL. He's certainly not the most exciting fantasy pick, and his feisty playing style occasionally invites injuries, but it's hard to ignore the vast improvement Clutterbuck has shown offensively since the Wild made him its third-round draft pick in 2006.

Clutterbuck plays an ultra-aggressive style that is built on solid defensive play, shot blocking and going to the net. He falls into the category of having more real-life value than fantasy value. Clutterbuck was expected to be useful in leagues that reward penalty minutes, but he declined in that category last season. In a league that counts hits, he's a category killer as he posted over 300 hits for a second consecutive season.

Clutterback will return to the Wild in his sophomore campaign in the same role as his rookie season, as an enforcer and protector of the team's less pugilistic players. He could be in to 100 PIM range this season. He's a category killer for leagues that count hits, as he had a new NHL record of 313 hits last season.

Clutterbuck is currently in the minor leagues where he has shown flashes of promise as a member of AHL's Houston Aeros. What Cal brings to the table is a relentless work ethic, leadership qualities and playmaking abilities. The 23-year-old tore up the OHL playing for the Oshawa Generals and Toronto St. Michael's Majors, most notably his 2005 and 2006 seasons in which he deposited 35 goals in both years. Branko Radivojevic is no longer with the Wild, so Clutterbuck could be first in line for a call-up. Until that happens, he is fantasy free agent fodder