New York Islanders Draftees: Current v Playing Elsewhere

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Apr 14, 2016; Sunrise, FL, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with right wing Kyle Okposo (21), defenseman Travis Hamonic (3) and center Frans Nielsen (51) in the second period on the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /

Center: John Tavares/Frans Nielsen

John Tavares is clearly the best player the Isles have drafted at center. And that includes all the players they’ve drafted as centermen but have ended up playing the wing. Like Josh Bailey, Anders Lee, etc…

Taken first overall in the 2009 NHL Draft Tavares was claimed to be something special. And he didn’t disappoint.

The captain is poised to challenge Bryan Trottier for the highest scoring player in Isles history. He’s the Isles present and future. Everything runs through Tavares. And for good reason.

The man’s an absolute superstar. Able to create scoring chances and even bury them out of nowhere. Remember that behind-the-back goal against St Louis this year? Pure magic.

Must Read: Isles Top 10 Highlights from 2016-17

Go through the Isles draft history and there isn’t a centerman that stands out next to Tavares. Let alone one that currently plays and is no longer on the Isles roster. Frans Nielsen isn’t just the best option he’s one of the only.

No slouch, Neilsen played ten years with the Isles doing everything from scoring 349 points. Playing significant power play minutes. Running the penalty kill. And being absolutely phenomenal on the shootout.

The Isles second line has yet to recover after he left for the Detroit Red Wings in the 2016 free agency window. And unless the Isles can orchestrate some sort of trade it likely won’t anytime soon.