Leading The Way: Eight New Captains You Might See Next Season

May 11, 2013; Uniondale, NY, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) skates during pre-game warmups before game six of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

New York Islanders: John Tavares

The New York Islanders were on the way up in the hockey world in 2013, making the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Even though they lost their captain Mark Streit shortly after their elimination, it didn’t feel like a huge blow, as it opened the door for the next step in the franchise player’s future.

Even though Streit wore the “C”, Tavares was the face of the franchise. In 2013, he was third in scoring with 28 goals, and finished the year with 47 points while playing in all 48 games. His play earned him a nomination for the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league’s MVP.

Tavares is going to stay in New York for quite a while, and it was only a matter of time before he got his shot to be captain. The Islanders are on the right track, and with a gifted leader such as Tavares, the future looks bright.