Islanders' Clutterbuck embraces building process
New York Islanders rugged right wing Cal Clutterbuck insists he isn't one to dwell on a negative.
So, rather than lament his team's ouster in a spirited seven-game first-round series against Washington, the 27-year-old is focused on building off the club's best regular-season performance since 1983-84.
"(The loss to the Capitals) is not something I think about on a daily basis," Clutterbuck told the team's website. "For me, I view it as a building block for the team. My excitement is geared towards trying to improve upon it next year. As a player, the ultimate goal is to win the Stanley Cup and this is a good group of guys to do it with."
Clutterbuck collected seven goals, nine assists and a career-best 343 hits in 76 games last season with New York, which matched second-place Washington with 101 points. The Islanders fell short on the tiebreaker, ultimately giving the Capitals home-ice advantage for Game 7.
Coach Jack Capuano's club will vie for its third playoff appearance in four seasons in 2015-16 despite seeing its home rink shift from Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum to the Barclays Center.
(h/t New York Islanders)
