Casey Cizikas has been part of the New York Islanders long enough to know when a team is ready to hit reset. After a frustrating end to last season, the veteran forward believes the 2025-26 campaign is all about redemption – not just for him, but for the core of veterans who have worn the sweater through the ups and downs of the last three seasons.
“We’re excited for all these guys to get here and give ourselves a chance at a little redemption,” Cizikas said this summer via NewYorkIslanders.com. “The way it ended last year, none of us were happy. None of us were satisfied with what went down. We have a team now that we believe will push each other and make it as difficult on other teams as possible.”
Cizikas spent his offseason balancing mornings of hard training with afternoons dedicated to family. But even while skating with familiar faces, the energy felt different thanks to the arrival of new teammates like goaltender David Rittich, and forwards Jonathan Drouin, Maxim Shabanov, and Emil Heineman. The veteran core, which includes Anders Lee, Mathew Barzal, Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock, and Brock Nelson’s long-time running mates, knows they have something to prove.
Confidence has also been boosted by the presence of new GM Mathieu Darche, whose early moves have impressed the room. “What he’s done this offseason, he’s put our team in a position to compete,” Cizikas said. “That’s the biggest thing he wants to see from each guy, to compete on the ice, throughout camp, throughout games. To bring that kind of energy.”
The Islanders’ lottery win that brought in Matthew Schaefer has added more buzz for the future, but for Cizikas, the present is about proving that the veterans still have fight left in them. As he heads into his 15th NHL season, he knows leadership means setting the tone in camp.
“Training camp is always a fun time,” he said. “It’s about getting back into that mentality and showing the younger guys what it takes. As veterans, we want to lead the way.”