Looking up and down the Islanders’ roster, it’s not difficult to see that the team is lacking a player who has previously led a Cup-winning squad.
Sure, this sort of experience may be a tad “overrated,” as many journalists have recently suggested, but it’s not something to completely discount. In a league where postseason success is so often determined by who is most prepared for battle, the importance of having someone with leadership qualities can’t be overstated.
Granted, both Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy hoisted Lord Stanley’s Cup during their time with Boston and Chicago, respectively.