The Islanders locked up another restricted free agent Tuesday when they signed forward Cal Clutterbuck to a four-year, $11 million contract. The 25-year-old rugged right-wing was obtained along with a third-round pick from the Wild in a draft-day trade that sent away disgruntled Islanders prospect Nino Niederreiter.
Clutterbuck led the league in hits for three consecutive years from 2008-11, including a then-league record with 356 hits in 2008-09.
Clutterbuck’s annual $2.75 million salary-cap hit now officially gets the Islanders to the floor of $44 million, with restricted free agents Josh Bailey and Thomas Hickey still to sign. Bailey is eligible to file for salary arbitration today by 5 p.m., and if he doesn’t, the team can file hursday. Hickey is ineligible.
* Rangers restricted free-agent forwards Carl Hagelin and Mats Zuccarello are both arbitration eligible, and if they file Wednesday, neither can play in Europe. First-line center Derek Stepan is not eligible.
* The Devils’ two big restricted free agents, Adam Henrique and Jacob Josefson, are both ineligible as well. Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello told The Post both contracts are “being worked on.” Those negotiations can go on until the start of training camp in mid-September.
All restricted free agents who haven’t filed for arbitration are still able to receive offer sheets from other clubs.