Casey Cizikas, Islanders Agree to New Contract: Latest Details and Reaction

The New York Islanders secured their checking line Thursday by re-signing center Casey Cizikas.

The deal is worth $16.75 million over five years, according to the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). The 25-year-old will count for $3.35 million against New York's cap each season.

Newsday's Arthur Staple provided additional context:

Cizikas put up a career-high 29 points this past season, including three points short-handed. He, along with linemates Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin, played a shutdown role for the Islanders against their opponents' top players. Cizikas was also vital to New York's penalty kill.

General manager Garth Snow cited these contributions in a team press release about the signing.

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

Cizikas' deal could make it tough for the Islanders to re-sign Martin. Staple reported New York has not had any contract talks with Martin or Kyle Okposo, the team's second-leading scorer in the regular season and playoffs, since the year ended.

Staple gave a thought as to why that may be:

Martin, 27, totaled a career-high 19 points and led the team in penalty minutes this past season.

General Fanager compared Cizikas' new contract with others around the NHL:

"

Casey Cizikas (5 yr @ $3.35M) comparables
Eakin 4 yr 3.85M
Lee 4 yr 3.75M
Turris 5 yr 3.5M
Eller 4 yr 3.5M

More: https://t.co/xg2Rt3e5Vo

— General Fanager (@generalfanager) June 2, 2016"

The name that stands out is Kyle Turris.

Turris, the third overall pick in the 2007 draft, is Ottawa's top center and has racked up 256 points in 455 games. He has a ton of skill and is more of an offensive threat than Cizikas, so either the Senators got a bargain or the Islanders overpaid.

Player	Current Cap Hit	Games Played	Goals	Assists
Cizikas	$3.35 Million	80	8	21
Turris	$3.5 Million	57	13	17
Cody Eakin (DAL)	$3.85 Million	82	16	19
Brendan Gallagher (MTL)	$3.75 Million	53	19	21
Matt Beleskey (BOS)	$3.8 Million	80	15	22
Jakob Silfverberg (ANA)	$3.75 Million	82	20	19

Losing Martin would hurt, but Cizikas is the better option of the two. He is younger and faster, provides more offense and is a greater contributor on special teams.

This is a smart retention by the Islanders, who need effective checkers in a division with offensive superstars such as Nicklas Backstrom, Sidney Crosby, Claude Giroux, Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin. 

All statistics are courtesy of ESPN.com.