Which current NHL players do the NY Islanders wish they could have back?

Devon Toews

Probably the most popular choice among the fan base, Devon Toews was a cap casualty for the Islanders after just four years with the organization. Toews stepped in to take the role of puck-carrying defenseman, something the Isles have been struggling to replace ever since. Due a significant pay raise after outperforming his two-year $700k contract in 2020, Lou Lamoriello sent Toews to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for second-round picks in 2021 and 2022.

With the picks the Isles received, one was used in the deal to the Arizona Coyotes as a sweetener to take on Andrew Ladd's contract, and the other to select Calle Odelius with the last pick in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Since his time with Colorado, Toews has won a Stanley Cup and could find himself in a similar situation following this season, as he is due a raise with the Avs up against the cap ceiling.