Islanders Numbers All-Time Rankings: Numbers 19-10
We’re into the teens in the Islanders all-time numbers rankings. In this edition, we have some more dynasty legends plus the duo that brought Game 1 to the Island last year. If you missed numbers 29-20, click here, if you missed numbers 39-30, click here, if you missed 49-40, click here, if you missed 69-50, click here and if you missed 99-70, click here.
19: Bryan Trottier 1975-90
19 is one of the greatest Islanders all-time numbers. That is thanks to Bryan Trottier. He was Mike Bossy’s running mate for much of the dynasty. He won numerous awards as an Islander including the 1979 Hart and Art Ross plus the first Conn Smythe in team history. The Hockey Hall of Famer put up 853 assists and 1,353 points in 1,123 games, all club records. He added 169 playoff points including 29 in each of the Islanders’ first three Cup runs. Trottier may be the best center to ever grace Long Island and his legacy is firmly implanted in Islanders lore.
18: Ed Westfall 1972-79
The first captain of the Islanders, Ed Westfall was an important piece in setting the table for the dynasty. Although he retired before the team ever hoisted the Cup, his influence on the team cannot be ignored. A two-time champion with Boston, Westfall came over in the Expansion Draft and played his final seven seasons on Long Island. His 286 points in 493 games were important but his leadership through the team’s early growing pains was invaluable to the dynasty.
17: Greg Gilbert 1981-86
Although he didn’t wear 17 for his entire tenure with the Islanders, Gilbert won two cups wearing it. He played in 243 games wearing 17, nabbing 152 points. Gilbert also received Selke votes in the 1983-84 season. He switched to number seven for the 1986-87 season and was traded to Chicago a few years later.
16: Pat LaFontaine: 1983-91
A trade with the Colorado Rockies at the beginning of the 1981-82 season got the Islanders the third pick in the 1983 Entry Draft where they selected Pat LaFontaine. He became the star as the dynasty legends aged, putting up 566 points in 529 games including four 40+ goal seasons. LaFontaine brought hope of more Cups but it wasn’t to be. Just before the 1991-92 season, LaFontaine was traded to Buffalo in the blockbuster that brought Pierre Turgeon, among others, the Long Island.
15: Billy Harris 1972-80
The first-ever entry draft pick of the Islanders, Harris was a consistent member of the Islanders’ lineup throughout the 1970s. He was a consistent performer too, putting up 50 points in each of his seven full seasons on Long Island. Harris is probably best known, however, as part of the package sent to Los Angeles in the Butch Goring trade. After 443 points in 623 games, Billy Harris helped bring the Islanders their final piece.
14: Bob Bourne 1974-86
A sometimes forgotten part of the dynasty, Bourne was an important cog in the Islanders’ offense. He had 542 points in 814 games as an Islander while his defensive work earned him Selke votes four times. Bourne even played in the 1981 NHL All-Star Game. He was an Islander until 1986 when he was claimed by the Kings in the waiver draft.
13: Mat Barzal 2016-20
Currently the NHL’s fastest skater, Barzal has excited Islanders fans with his skating ability. He won the Calder Trophy in 2017-18 and has blossomed into a top center in a Barry Trotz system. His puckhandling and agility rival the best in the NHL and he is still getting better. 207 points in 234 games are just the start for Barzal as he grows into a cornerstone for the Islanders. All this talent, plus Anthony Beauvillier, only cost Griffin Reinhart. Thank you, Peter Chiarelli.
12: Josh Bailey 2008-20
The longest-tenured current Islander is also one of the most argued about. He makes a lot of huge plays but also his fair share of mistakes. Bailey has emerged as a top-six forward on a competitive Islanders team in recent years. Over his 12-year career, Bailey has put up 476 points in 865 games and has scored some big goals. None bigger, however, than his first playoff overtime goal last year.
11: Wayne Merrick 1978-84
One of the unsung heroes of the dynasty, Wayne Merrick played his final six-and-a-half seasons in the blue and orange, wearing 11 for all but one. He wore that number for 343 games during which he put up 158 points. Most notably, Merrick scored at a point-per-game pace during the Islanders’ 1981 Cup run.
10: Lorne Henning 1972-81
The sometimes forgotten secondary assist on Bob Nystrom’s dynasty-starting goal belongs to Lorne Henning. Henning played his entire nine-year career with the Islanders, most of it coming before the Cups. Despite his usage trailing off in his final two seasons, Henning played in all 21 games of the 1980 Cup run. He was out of the league after the 1981 Cup.
