Only two NY Islanders remain from joyful "Barry Little Christmas" holiday photo

Six years ago, in December 2019, the world was still blissfully unaware of how much it was about to change. On Long Island, hockey felt steady, comforting, and fun again.

The New York Islanders were in the middle of a second straight strong season under Barry Trotz, looking every bit like a team built for another playoff run. More importantly, they had an identity — something that had been missing for far too long.

The fan base had fallen hard for Trotz. He took an organization that had been drifting and gave it structure, accountability, and belief. The Islanders didn’t overwhelm teams with elite skill, but they outworked them. Every shift was layered with purpose, every night fueled by determination and quiet confidence. It wasn’t flashy, but it was Islanders hockey reborn.

That appreciation took on a life of its own that holiday season when Barstool Sports released the now iconic “Have Yourself a Barry Little Christmas” blue sweaters. They were silly, perfect, and instantly everywhere. Fans wore them with pride, and weeks later, a group of Islanders players posed for a photo with Trotz and Santa Claus, all wearing the sweaters. It captured the joy of that moment better than any stat line ever could.

Time, of course, moved on. Barry Trotz did too. And one by one, the players in that photo followed different paths. Thomas Greiss and Cal Clutterbuck retired. Jordan Eberle was lost to the Seattle expansion draft. Anthony Beauvillier was traded for Bo Horvat. Devon Toews was moved for cap reasons and blossomed into a star in Colorado. Nick Leddy bounced from Detroit to St. Louis and now San Jose. Brock Nelson was traded last season to the Avalanche for Calum Ritchie and a first-round pick.

Only two remain. Captain Anders Lee, now in the final year of his contract. And Scott Mayfield, with four years left on the seven-year deal he signed in 2023. Everyone else has moved on. But that photo hasn’t. Each Christmas, it still brings Islanders fans back to a time when everything felt aligned — when belief was high, joy was real, and Long Island hockey felt exactly the way it was supposed to.