Some New York Islanders fans may want one particular player’s face removed from the team’s Quarter Century Mount Rushmore. Specifically, we’re talking about former captain John Tavares.

B/R Open Ice has been running a series in which it has placed the club’s best players from its Quarter Century lists on a Mount Rushmore mock-up. The Islanders’ version was published on August 27, and it featured Tavares as the first face from left to right.

There’s no denying Tavares is a significant piece of Islanders’ history. But given how things worked out, some fans may not be too enthusiastic about Tavares headlining the group.

The other three faces, Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson, and Anders Lee, should not result in many objections from fans. If anything, Lee has endeared himself to Islanders lore. His mettle in taking over from Tavares as captain has made his time in Long Island a memorable one.

Here’s a look at the Islanders mockup:

The Islanders have two captains and a Calder Trophy winner on their quarter century Mount Rushmore 🔥

B/R’s Lyle Richardson’s full quarter century Mount Rushmore series ➡️ https://t.co/TeRx6xx2Dg pic.twitter.com/ZJUeX5Z2Y1

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) August 27, 2025

Barzal remains a key piece of the Islanders’ current team. He will be counted on to have a bounce-back season following an injury-marred season in 2024-25. If Barzal can return to form, the Islanders will have one of the better forwards in the NHL running the show.

As for Nelson, his departure last season was a sad one. He signed a three-year extension with the Colorado Avalanche this summer. So, fans will get to see Nelson when he eventually returns to New York this upcoming season.

Islanders fans have options to replace Tavares on team’s Mt Rushmore

Several options may come to mind when thinking about a player to replace John Tavares on the team’s Mt. Rushmore. For instance, Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck, heart and soul guys, could earn a spot. Other players like Ilya Sorokin, Adam Pelech, or Kenny Jonsson could make good choices.

But there’s one guy who would be a no-brainer: Josh Bailey. Bailey is one of the most beloved New York Islanders players. Bailey played his entire career in Long Island, notching over 1,000 games. Bailey stuck with the club through thick and thin.

Ultimately, it was too bad Bailey couldn’t win a Stanley Cup with the Islanders. Perhaps Bailey could return as a coach someday and help the Isles win it all.

Regardless of what the future holds for Bailey, the folks at B/R Open Ice would have done well to include Bailey in Tavares’ stead. The Islanders’ Mt Rushmore would have a truly iconic team lore splashed all over it.