The best Islanders team of players who left and came back

F - Matt Martin (2009-16, 2018-Present)

It sometimes feels like Matt Martin never left, but after seven seasons, the 2008 5th-round pick signed a four-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent in 2016. After two years in Toronto, new Islanders and previous Maple Leafs G.M. Lou Lamoriello traded for Martin in exchange for goaltending prospect Eamon McAdam.

Martin has arguably had the most successful second stint with the Islanders. The "Identity Line" with Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck picked up where they left off and were key contributors to the Islanders' deep playoff runs in 2020 and 2021. Martin signed a four-year extension with the team in 2021 and is expected to end his career on Long Island.