New York Islanders - Team MVRP

[TretiakCCCP20]

 

 

                 New York Islanders Team History

 

 

The Islanders who burst on to the scene rather quickly in 1972, was the answer to Nassau County officials being approached by the then rival WHA wanting to bring a franchis into the new Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Officials in Nassau County did not view the WHA as a legitimate professional league and the only way to legally keep them out was to bring in an NHL franchise. The New York Rangers however, did not want additional competition within the New York area. Despite this Clarence Campbell thought the idea was sound. The NHL hastily granted this new franchise in Long Island to Roy Boe, then owner of the New York Nets. At the same time a franchise was granted to the Atlanta and would be called the Flames. This brought the NHL's team number to 16. Due to their close proximity to the Rangers the new franchise had to pay $4 million in territorial fees. The first year in the league, like most expansion teams struggled to find footing and posted a record of 12–60–6, one of the worst in NHL history. However, the Islanders would find success in building their team through the draft and avoided drafting veteran players. From 1980-1983 the Isles won 4 straight Stanley Cups. In 1983 the even beat the Wayne Gretzky lead Edmonton Oilers.

 

Billy Smith:

 

Billy Smith was drafted in the 1972 Expansion Draft by the Islanders and was the second player picked by the team. His first two years he shared goaltending duties with Gerry Desjardins. After Desjardins departure to the WHA, Smith had the job all to himself. With Smith in net that year, the Isles made their first playoff appearance. Smith is best known for backstopping the Islanders in net to their 4 straight Stanley Cup victories in 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1983. He was also the first NHL goalie to be credited with a goal which he accomplished on November 28, 1979 against the Colorado Rockies. Smith was very well known for his temper and fearlessness to engage opponents that got near him (hence his nickname "Battlin' Billy" and "Hatchet Man"). During Smith's day, crease violations were much less strict however. He has been consistently named the "Meanest Goalie" to ever play the game. One example noted was during a particular practice Smith took a tremendous slap shot from Mike Bossy and charged at Bossy in retaliation but was stopped by his teammates.

 

Denis Potvin:

 

Potvin was drafted first overall by the Isles in the 1973 NHL Amatuer Draft and garnered tons of hype as the player that would save the struggling Islanders. He made an immediate impact as he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year in his first season and the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league's top defenseman two years later. In the 1979-1980 season, his first as captain of the Isles he helped them to their first of four straight Stanley Cups. In his eight seasons as captain the Islanders never failed to make the post-season. He was known for being a physical player and was often compared to Bobby Orr in terms of his intelligence on the ice.

 

Clark Gillies:

 

Was drafted by the Islanders in the 1974 NHL Draft. He immediately became well known as a tough guy and an extremely physical presence on the ice. Due in part to his physical play, he was a key asset in the Isles' success in the early 80's. Despite his tough guy nature on the ice, he never exceeded over 100 penalty minutes in any given season. After the 1985-1986 season he was picked up by Buffalo where he remained for a season and a half before his retirement.

 

Mike Bossy:

 

Drafted by the Islanders 15th overall in the 1977 NHL Amatuer Draft. Bossy boldly predicted he would score 50 goals in his rookie season which he made good on his promise, posting 53 goals his first season and winning the Calder Memorial Trophy for rookie of the year. In 1980-1981 season he stunned the league by being only the second player to post 50 goals in 50 games, the first being Maurice Richard who made the mark 36 years before, a record which many thought would never be repeated. Bossy was well recognized for his clean play and rarely ever resorted to fighting. Bossy retired at the ripe old age of 30 with 573 goals and 553 assists in 752 NHL games. He played his entire career in an Islanders uniform.

 

Bryan Trottier:

 

He was drafted in the 2nd round, 22nd overall by the New York Islanders in the 1974 NHL Amatuer Draft. He won the Calder Trophy in 1975-1976 by setting an NHL rookie record at the time of 95 points that season. He was a key player in helping the Islanders to their 4 straight Stanley Cups, all while winning the Hart Memorial Trophy and Art Ross Trophy in 1978-1979. He was part of the famous "Trio Grande" line of the Islanders that consisted of Trottier, Bossy, and Gillies. He ranks second in Islanders history in goals, and first in assists and points. He was eventually sent to the Pittsburgh where he won his fifth and sixth Stanley Cups with the Penguins in 1991 and 1992 and eventually retired after the 1993-1994 season.

 

Bob Nystrom:

 

His first full season with the Isles he posted 41 points garnering consideration for the Calder Trophy. Nystrom was known as well of the most well balanced two-way forwards in the league and was selected to play in the 1977 NHL All-Star Game. Nystrom was well known as a respectable fighter within the Islanders crew and regularily made efforts to improve his play, especially in skating. He eventually gained notoriety as one of the best NHL clutch players in NHL Playoff history and a knack for overtime game winners. During the 1985-1986 season Nystrom had a very serious eye injury (two tears in his retinas that later required surgery) effectively ending his career.

 

I leave you with this short video on the Islanders' first Stanley Cup.

 

 

[ruxpin]

Lots of folks on that list I could easily have voted for because I like just about all of them. (Nystrom has a sour place in my heart, but gotta respect the player).   

 

First runner-up for me was Bryan Trottier.  Just loved the way that guy played.

 

But ultimately my vote went to Billy Smith.  First, growing up I was very partial to goalies.  My favorites were Billy Smith and Gerry Cheevers, primarily because both played the position differently than other goalies at the time.    I loved Billy Smith's hack and slay style and goaltending itself was pretty good.

 

I guess he'll always be my favorite from the Isles' cup dynasty. 

[TretiakCCCP20]

@ruxpin Smith was a mean sob that's for sure. You couldn't get anywhere near that guy without getting slashed. He was also a tremendous actor and would often times overexaggerate to try to draw penalties. Regardless though, he was a mighty fine goaltender. He seemed to know when to step it up which was usually during playoff time.

[hf101]

Nice read Tret,

 

My favorite retired Islander was actually Pat LaFontaine, but Bossy would be a close second. I think we often forget how impressive Bossy was he seemed to have gotten lost in the shadows to Gretzky.

[TretiakCCCP20]

@hf101 Yes, Gretzky overshadowed many great players.

[Digityman]

Good work Tret

[TretiakCCCP20]

@Digityman Thanks!

[Bertmega]

Bossy hands down. 100 goals in 129 games. Boldly predicted he would score 50+ goals his rookie season and the cocky SOB did it. And part of one of the last dynasties in the NHL. Though I am pretty sure Blades of Steel stole his goal dance.

[jammer2]

 I still have a hockey magazine from 1980 that boldly screams, who will lead the NHL in pts, Gretzky or Trottier?

[ruxpin]

Nice read Tret,

 

My favorite retired Islander was actually Pat LaFontaine, but Bossy would be a close second. I think we often forget how impressive Bossy was he seemed to have gotten lost in the shadows to Gretzky.

 

Bossy was incredible.   For ME, has to be in the top 5-10 wingers of my lifetime (in hockey terms, that's about 1974 to present)

[yave1964]

@TretiakCCCP20

Great work! thanks for reigniting this series. I went with Bossy but it was a coin toss between him and Trottier for me.

[jammer2]

It was *real* close for me, basically a 3 way tie between Trotts, Potvin and Bossy. I have the utmost respect for all 3. Trottier played one of the best 2 way games ever. A true warrior who led by example. I was leaning towards Potvin, cause from a historical perspective, Potvin is among the best 10 defensemen of all time, maybe even 5-7. The same can't be said about Trottier, just because center is such a wickedly stacked position.

 

 I think Bossy only played a short 10 year span from 77 to 87. It's a shame this guy never won an Art Ross. His biggest year he scored 64 goals and totaled 147 pts, usually good enough to win any scoring race, but that was the year Wayne scored an ungodly 202 pts. The big line of Trotts, Bossy and Gillies was basically unstoppable when they were clicking, which was most of the time. I thought Gillies was a great leader and had some talent, but was sorta overrated. If I had a buck for every time an announcer said "don't wake the sleeping giant" about Gillies, I'd be retired on a beach somewhere. He was like that, if you didn't pester him or enrage him, he would coast through some games......but damn, that line was one of the most overused cliche's in the entire 70's decade. Danny Gallivan was famous for spouting that one....ha ha.

 

  I hated Nystrom, still do, to this day. I have a load of respect for the guy, but snarl just thinking about him. I thought Stefan Perrson had a very underrated skill set, and was one of the slickest euro's to play in the late 70's early 80's.

 

 Everything clicked for the Isle's once they got the energizer bunny on the team, AKA Butch Goring. He was the missing X factor. I was always a big fan of Ken Morrow. The only man ever to win a Gold at the Olympics, (Lake Placid) and then tear off 4 straight Stanley Cup championships to begin his stellar NHL career. Nothing fancy here, just tough as nails and a wonderful work ethic. Ken should be talked about more, somebody mention him at the water cooler this week at work, the guy deserves to have his name bantered about much more than it is.

 

 

 Another hated Isle was Gary Howwat. I wanted to punch that man every time they showed him. Tough customer, but a dirtball.

 

 I hated Chico Resch and Billy Smith. Wish somebody would have gave Chico a chop to the vocal cords, so we don't have to put up with him as an announcer. How that guy stays employed as an announcer is one of life's great mysteries.

[TretiakCCCP20]

I appreciate the feedback guys!

[JR Ewing]

Just to be brief, Bossy was an incredible goal scorer, which isn't to take anything away from the other guys here. Trottier, Potvin and Smith were great players. Bossy is one of the very few best snipers I've seen in my life.

 

JR