New York Islanders Franchise Profile
Founded: 1972
Arena: Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Stanley Cups: 4
1980, 1981, 1982, 1983
New York Islanders Retired Numbers:
5 Dennis Potvin (1973-1988)
9 Clark Gilles (1974-1986)
19 Bryan Trottier (1975-1990)
22 Mike Bossy (1977-1987)
23 Bob Nystrom (1972-1986)
31 Billy Smith (1972-1989)
740 Al Arbour (Coach) (1973-86 and 1988-94)
New York Islanders Hockey Hall of Fame Members:
Al Arbour (Coach)
Mike Bossy
Clark Gilles
Pat LaFontaine
Dennis Potvin
Billy Smith
Bill Torrey
Bryan Trottier
2009-10 Islanders Season Preview:
Given the state this team is in, the best fans can hope for is another last-place finish and another top pick in next year’s draft. It’s definitely an achievable goal.
This team has one veteran worthy of note: defenseman Mark Streit, with an impressive 56 points.
At forward, John Tavares is the 18-year-old rookie sensation. Kyle Okposo is the 21-year-old winger who led the team with just 18 goals last year. There are a couple of other young players who might turn out well. But the rest of the roster would never see the ice on most NHL teams.
The career of Rick DiPietro, former goalie-of-the-future, has turned into a perpetual injury soap opera. So it made sense to look for help in that area. Why the team signed two veterans, Dwayne Roloson and Martin Biron, is a mystery. But the Islanders’ approach to team building has been a mystery for some years now.
Prediction: 15th place in the East
