Ilya Sorokin, John Tavares highlight Islanders’ NHL quarter-century team

On Friday, the NHL revealed the New York Islanders’ quarter-century team.

The first team sees a few players from the active roster, including a couple of former names. Forwards Josh Bailey and Brock Nelson are joined by John Tavares, with defensemen Nick Leddy and Adam Pelech in front of goaltender Ilya Sorokin.

Tavares’ presence on this list is definitely going to irk Islanders fans. The current Toronto Maple Leaf infamously left Long Island in 2018, leaving many angry at the man who captained the Islanders for four seasons. The former first-overall pick was a big part in the team winning its first playoff series in 23 years, scoring the memorable double-overtime goal to eliminate the Florida Panthers in 2016. Tavares has scored more points (621) than any player for the franchise this century.

Bailey, another first-round pick, spent 15 years with the Isles, tied with legends Denis Potvin and Bryan Trottier for most in team history. In 1,057 games, Bailey scored 184 goals and 395 assists for 580 points.

Along with Bailey, Nelson was a big part of the team’s run to three straight Eastern Conference Finals. The one-time All-Star has potted 552 points in the regular season with New York, including another 50 points in the playoffs.

Nick Leddy provided veteran leadership for the rising Islanders’ teams in the late 2010s and early 2020s. After winning Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks, he was a constant presence on the back end. As was Adam Pelech, who is currently one of the Islanders’ top defensemen. The 2022 NHL All-Star has 149 points in 526 games with the team.

Maybe one of the more underrated goaltenders in the league, Sorokin has been exciting to watch, even as the Islanders continue to meddle around the middle and lower portions of the Metropolitan Division. The former Vezina Trophy finalist has posted 19 shutouts in his young career, more than any Islander backstop this century.

The second sees more active players, including a couple of older faces. Forwards Mathew Barzal, Anders Lee and Frans Nielsen are backed by defensemen Kenny Jonsson and Ryan Pulock, with goaltender Semyon Varlamov holding down the fort.

Barzal has provided some excitement for a team that earned a reputation as boring. The 2018 Calder Trophy winner scored 450 points in 517 regular-season games, with another 45 points in 60 postseason contests.

Lee took over the captaincy after Tavares deserted Islanders fans and has been a fan favorite for several years. His two-way ability has made him a mostly reliable player over his career.

Nielsen complemented Tavares in helping carry the offense as the team went through some lean years in the late 2000s and 2010s. Regarded as one of the best shootout specialists in the game, Nielsen was counted on to play many different roles on the team, including special teams.

Pulock is Pelech’s partner on the Islanders nowadays and has established himself as one of the better d-men in recent memory with his solid play at both ends of the rink when he’s healthy. Jonsson captained the Islanders at the turn of the century and was part of the veteran leadership that helped get the team to three straight playoff berths from 2002 to 2004.

Varlamov has made a great partner for Sorokin since coming to Long Island in 2019. The other Russian netminder was the No. 1 goaltender as the team advanced to the final four in 2020 and 2021, winning 19 playoff games since joining the organization.