The NY Islanders quarter-century Mount Rushmore

We're a quarter of the way through the 2000s, and the game of hockey has evolved so much since the turn of the millennium. While it's been 42 years since the NY Islanders last hoisted Lord Stanley's Cup, the organization has put together a few teams that have made a run in recent times.

Though the Islanders teams of the 1980s may never be replicated, the franchise has produced some of its most talented players in its 52-year history.

Islanders quarter-century team

Lyle Richardson of Bleacher Report has created a quarter-century Mount Rushmore for each NHL organization, releasing his Islanders team today, consisting of John Tavares, Anders Lee, Brock Nelson, and Mat Barzal.

The most controversial name on this list is, of course, Tavares. Despite his decision to continue his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tavares remains the Islanders' fifth all-time point producer with 621, trailing only Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin, and Clark Gillies.

Lee took over captain duties on Long Island after Tavares' departure, putting together the Islanders' only 40-goal season since Jason Blake in 2006-07. Lee currently sits sixth all-time in goals for the Islanders with 289, and after last year's bounce-back season, he appears to have more in the tank at 35 years old.

One of the most consistent players since being drafted 30th overall in 2010, Nelson has been everything the Islanders could have hoped for. A fan favorite, Nelson sits fifth in all-time franchise goals (295), one spot ahead of Lee. Unlike Tavares, who is smattered with boo's everytime he returns to Long Island, Nelson didn't string the franchise along after not being able to agree to a new contract, and will be graced with cheers when he makes his return to UBS Arena, as his trade was the first stepping stone in what looks to be a progressive Islanders rebuild.

Still in his prime, Barzal has the Islanders in the palm of his hand. The current face of the franchise, Barzal, took the organization by storm after his Calder-Trophy-winning season. Though he has faced injuries in recent times, he is one of the league's most dynamic forwards and a human highlight reel. Entering this season at 28 years old, Barzal is already 16th all-time in points for the Islanders with 462.