Best New York Islanders Players of All Time

The New York Islanders are a storied franchise, rich with legendary players whose impact transcends mere statistics. These players defined eras of success for the Islanders and helped tremendously boost the team’s NHL odds through the years.

From their dynasty years to more recent stars, these are the best New York Islanders players of all time.

Best New York Islanders Players of All Time

1. Mike Bossy

In an era dominated by physicality, Mike Bossy emerged as the epitome of scoring excellence, forever changing the perception of what a winger could achieve. He scored an astounding 573 goals in just 752 career games, all with the Islanders. 

37 years ago tonight, the #Isles destroy the Bruins 8-4 in Game 6 of the Wales Conference Finals to clinch their 4th consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearance. Mike Bossy scores four times and sets a new franchise record for goals in a playoff game by a single player. pic.twitter.com/LcQsshoKIl

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) May 7, 2020

Bossy accomplished the remarkable feat of scoring 50 or more goals in nine consecutive seasons, tied for the most such seasons in NHL history with Wayne Gretzky and Alex Ovechkin. Moreover, he is the NHL’s all-time leader in average goals scored per regular season game at .76, and third in all-time points scored per regular season game in league history. 

Bossy was an instrumental piece of the Islanders dynasty years, contributing to four Stanley Cup victories and winning the 1981-82 Conn Smythe Trophy. 

2. Bryan Trottier

Bryan Trottier was the heart and soul of the New York Islanders during their dynasty years, combining a relentless determination with rare offensive ability. He is the Islanders’ leading all-time scorer, with 1,353 points and was a driving force behind the team’s four Stanley Cup victories. 

Trottier won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the best player in the Stanley Cup playoffs in 1980 and took home both the Art Ross Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy in 1979. 

3. Denis Potvin

As the cornerstone of the Islander’s defence, Denis Potvin became one of the greatest offensive defencemen in NHL history. He was the first D-man to break the 1,000-point barrier and won three Norris Trophies in four years as the NHL’s best defenceman. 

Potvin captained the Islanders through four straight Stanley Cup victories and five straight runs to the finals. His leadership and contributions on both ends of the ice solidified his reputation as one of the greatest defencemen in Islanders’ and NHL’s history. 

4. Billy Smith

Known for his fiercely competitive attitude and intimidating presence, Billy Smith was the backbone of the Islanders during their championship years. He was the first goalie to be credited with a goal in NHL history. 

Smith famously shut down the stacked Oilers lineup, full of names like Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, and Coffey, in the 1983 Stanley Cup Finals. He allowed only six goals in the Islanders’ four-game sweep and won the Conn Smythe Trophy for his efforts. 

Smith still holds the New York Islanders records for most games played (674) and most wins (304) as a goaltender. 

5. Pat LaFontaine

Legendary goal scorer Pal LaFontaine put up 566 points in just 530 career games with the Islanders. He accumulated four straight seasons of 40-plus goals before departing as a free agent. 

LaFontaine’s extraordinary scoring ability and resilience made him a player Islanders fans remember fondly to this day. 

6. John Tavares 

The face of the Islanders for nearly a decade, John Tavares was a beacon of hope in Long Island. 

(2016) @91Tavares scoring this nasty goal is so impressive. 😮#johntavares #john #tavares #nhl #newyorkislanders #nyislanders #newyork #ny #islanders #letsgoislanders #goislanders #icehockey #hockey #goal #sport #sports pic.twitter.com/ZqtWwHlBMb

— In The Showcase (@intheshowcase) November 16, 2020

He racked up 621 points in just 669 career games as an Islander, good for fifth in franchise history. Tavares captained the team for five seasons and helped inspire the next generation of Islanders’ greats.