There's no question that signing free agent Valtteri Filppula in 2018 was a good move for the New York Islanders. Through 72 games, Filppula put up 31 points and anchored a good third line as the Islanders defied belief to earn 103 points and make the playoffs in 2018-19.
The Islanders had hoped that Filppula would come back for the 2019-20 season and anchor that third-line again. Unfortunately, the call from Detroit in the form of a two-year $6 million deal proved to be too compelling and so Filppula left for his former club.