Winnipeg Jets: 3 Forwards the Jets Should Look to Sign this Offseason
1. Casey Cizikas
As I have watched the Islanders for many seasons and have been a writer for their FanSided site, EyesonIsles.com, I am extremely familiar with Casey Cizikas, his style of play, and what he can bring to a team like the Winnipeg Jets.
Cizikas is an exciting pending UFA, he is one of those players that gives it his all every single night. As a matter of fact, Lou Lamoriello stated that he and the Islanders’ front office “will do everything we possibly can to try and have him back.” That quote should say a lot about Cizikas’ value considering it is coming from the back-to-back general manager of the year.
The Toronto native is the definition of a grinder: Cizikas never passes up a hit, plays smart in the defensive zone, and is a great penalty killer.
In the past two seasons, the thirty-year-old has played in 104 regular season games and leads all Islanders’ forwards in penalty kill time on ice while finishing third on the team in hits. He has been one of the best centermen on the Island over that time span with a 53.4 faceoff win percentage.
Cizikas is a defensive forward and is not one to pick up many points. Over his ten-year career in New York, Cizikas has amassed 185 points in 590 games but has a great plus/minus of plus-20 over his career.
Under Barry Trotz, Cizikas and, his fellow linemates, Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin have had the task of matching up against opposing top lines while bringing energy to the Islanders night in and night out. This play has given this line the reputation as one of the best fourth lines in all of hockey.
Cizikas would be the perfect fit to slot on the fourth line for Winnipeg Jets or depending on who moves on from the Jets this offseason, Cizikas can slot onto the third line.
The Jets can find the identity player they need in Casey Cizikas. Whether he blocks a hard shot on the penalty kill, throws the bone-crushing hit, or scores an unexpected goal, Cizikas is a player that can change the momentum of a game at a moment’s notice.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Which UFA forwards do you want the Winnipeg Jets to sign when free agency begins? Leave your comments below!
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*All Stats Provided by the NHL & All Current Contract Information Provided by Cap Friendly*