30 in 30: Inside look at New York Islanders

It’s no secret the New York Islanders’ hopes of winning the Stanley Cup begin and end with the health and production of their captain, John Tavares.

But three important members of Tavares’ supporting cast signed elsewhere as unrestricted free agents on July 1. Frans Nielsen, arguably one of the better two-way centers in the NHL, signed a six-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings. Right wing Kyle Okposo, a first-round pick (No. 7) in 2006 and three-time 20-goal scorer, left for a seven-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres. Left wing Matt Martin, annually among the NHL’s leading hitters and a key component of New York’s dynamic fourth line, signed a four-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The timing of the departures wasn’t great; the Islanders, for the first time since 1993, won a series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season when they defeated the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference First Round in six games. New York’s season ended with a five-game loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round, but it was a solid start in their new home after the Islanders moved to Barclays Center in Brooklyn following 43 years at Nassau Coliseum.

So how do they build on that success when three key pieces have headed elsewhere?

“Frans Nielsen and I have been together for a long time,” coach Jack Capuano said. “Kyle and I have been together for a long time, and Matt came in a little bit after that. It’s part of the business, though. I had real good conversations with all three guys once July 1 was over. It’s one of those things where they care about the things that you’ve done for them, and I wish …

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