Islanders, Forward Clutterbuck Agree To 5-Year Extension

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- You want grit? You got it, for several more years.

The Islanders locked up one of their more important veterans Friday, agreeing to terms with winger Cal Clutterbuck on a five-year contract extension. Though the dollar amount was not announced by the team, reports indicated the deal will have an average annual value of $3.5 million.

The contract appears to be similar to the one signed by Islanders center Casey Cizikas back in June.

The move allows the Islanders to continue to keep together parts of a core they believe will one day be among the best in the Eastern Conference.

Clutterbuck, who is now in his fourth full season with the club and ninth in the NHL, was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this summer and probably could have commanded more money on the open market. However, it appears the Isles gave him one more year than he was looking for.

All of the Islanders' forwards are now under contract for next season. Goaltender Thomas Greiss and defenseman Dennis Seidenberg are the team's only pending UFAs.

Popular among his teammates and fans, Clutterbuck's game is not about primary statistics. He has scored only two goals and has nine points through the Islanders' first 26 games this season. He had one of his best offensive seasons in 2015-16, scoring 15 goals and finishing with 23 points. He has 98 goals, to go along with 79 assists, in 364 career regular season games.

The 29-year-old native of Welland, Ontario, is known more for his versatility and edgy play. Clutterbuck can slot in on any line and he has a tendency to score clutch goals, not to mention draw penalties, block shots and throw his body around.

Clutterbuck has been among the NHL leaders in hits over the last several seasons.

MORE: Capellini: Islanders Finally Appear To Be Getting Their Act Together

The contract extension comes at a good time for the Islanders as they have made inroads following a brutal start, recording 11 points in their last six games (5-0-1), including a 3-2 win over visiting St. Louis on Thursday.

New York, which made the playoffs in three of the previous four seasons, entered play Friday six points out of the second wild-card spot in the East. The Islanders next play Saturday night in Columbus. The Blue Jackets currently own the first wild card.