The New York Islanders’ rise from expansion team to four-time Stanley Cup champion was extraordinary. Their history of greatness is unparalleled in sports. Their fall from lofty heights is another great sports story. The New York Islanders were terrible when they were new in 1972, but quickly made some excellent draft picks and trades and got much better. The Islanders have had some recent success but have been mediocre lately. Currently, the New York Islanders are in a bit of trouble.
Some Great New York Islanders
There are a total of 12 people associated with the Islanders in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Mike Bossy was probably the greatest hockey player in history not named Wayne Gretzky. He died two years ago, way too young at the age of 65. Bryan Trottier was one of the best hockey players in history also and teamed with Bossy to form the best 1-2 punch in hockey history.
Pat Lafontaine scored more points than any other American-born hockey player in history and Denis Potvin is considered by many to be the greatest defenseman in history. Clark Gillies never gets enough credit but he was the best all-around player on those great Islanders teams.
Billy Smith is considered by many to be the greatest goaltender ever and Al Arbour was the coach of those Islander teams and many others. General Manager Bill Torrey built the team from a 10-win expansion franchise to a four-time Stanley Cup champion.
Fort Never Lose
Fort Never Lose was the nickname of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where the New York Islanders played until 2021. It was cozy. The Islanders won 19 consecutive playoff series in the old barn. A record that will never be broken. The Islanders also won four consecutive Stanley Cups there(1980-83.)
Pat LaFontaine
Pat LaFontaine played in the Olympics for the United States and then joined the four-time Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders. He was a great player and even a better person. He played for the Islanders from 1983 to 1991.
Pat LaFontaine was dumped on Buffalo for four players including Pierre Turgeon, who is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. LaFontaine scored more points in the National Hockey League (1,013) than any other American-born hockey player.
We Want Fish Sticks
Throughout most of the 1990s, the Islanders were the worst team in the National Hockey League. John Spano, the Owner of the New York Islanders had a rough tenure. What happened to the Islanders was rough under his stewardship. In the middle 1990s, in a blatant money grab, the Islanders changed their jersey to one with a fisherman on it. The fisherman meant to evoke the seafaring and fishing history of Long Island, looked like the Gorton’s fisherman. Fans threw fish sticks on the ice and chanted, “We want fish sticks.”
Mediocrity
In the last two seasons the New York Islanders just barely squeaked into the playoffs. This fight for mediocracy is disheartening to fans of the team, to say the least. The Islanders seem like they are stuck in a loop. The Islanders are in salary cap trouble right now and begin this season with one less player than most teams as a result. This does not help their outlook.
Conclusion
You want the teams you are a fan of to be interesting. The Islanders are certainly that. The Islanders are infuriating, with their great history and how far they have fallen. New York begins the 2024-2025 NFL season at UBS Arena against the Utah Hockey Club.
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