The best Islanders team of players who left and came back

D - Bryan Berard (1996-99, 2007-08)

The Ottawa Senators selected Berard with the first overall pick in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, but when he didn't go straight to the NHL, he requested a trade. The offensive defenseman was sent to the Islanders in a three-team deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs that included D Wade Redden, the Islanders first-round pick in the same draft (2nd overall). The deal also sent Martin Straka to New York and the disgruntled Kirk Mueller to Toronto.

Berard started his NHL career at 19, putting up 48 points (8 goals, 40 assists) in his first season, and was awarded the Calder Trophy in 1997 as the league's top rookie. After four seasons on Long Island, Berard was traded to the Maple Leafs for G Felix Potvin. He suffered a career-threatening eye injury on March 11, 2000, when the Senators' Marion Hossa's stick clipped his right eye and detached his retina. After missing a season, he underwent eye surgery and made a comeback with New York Rangers. After playing a season in Boston, Berard had a great season with the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring 13 goals and adding 34 assists which earned him the Bill Masterton Trophy.

After playing 55 games over two seasons in Columbus, he attended training camp with the Islanders ahead of the 2007-08 season and earned a one year contract. He played in 55 games with his best moment coming in the season opener, scoring the GWG in a 2-1 win against the Rangers.