The best Islanders team of players who left and came back

F - Mariusz Czerkawski (1997-02, 2003-04)

Originally drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 5th round of the 1991 draft, the "Polish Prince" was acquired in one of Mike Milbury's best moves from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for prospect Dan LaCouture on August 25, 1997. "I think he is an immediate player for the team, Milbury said of Czerkawski, who scored 26 goals the prior season in Edmonton. "He can step right into our first two lines.''

After scoring just 12 goals in 1997-98, Czerkawski netted 21 in 98-99 before putting together back-to-back 30-goal seasons with 35 in 99-00 and 30 in 2000-01. In 2000, he represented the Islanders at the All-Star Game, finishing that season with a career-high 70 points. Following the 2001-02 season, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens for F Aaron Asham and a 5th-round pick.

After scoring just five goals in 43 games in Montreal, Czerkawski was signed by the Islanders during the off-season and delivered a 25 goal, 24 assist season. After the playing the cancelled 2004 season, he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs and then finished his career with the team that drafted him, when he was selected off waivers by the Boston Bruins.