Short-Term Islanders Players You May Have Forgotten About
The Islanders have experienced a lot of success over the past few seasons, and have built up a strong identity consisting of tenured players. However, their recent achievements would not have been possible without the help of some short-term talent.
Going back to the 2007-2008 season, the last year without a current Islander on the roster, there have been a few short-term Islanders who left a positive impact on the franchise. Here is a look at some influential Islanders who you may have forgotten about due to their relatively brief stints with the organization.
Mike Comrie (2007-2009)
A name that younger fans might have a tough time remembering is Mike Comrie. Even though he only played with the team for two years, he definitely made his mark on Long Island. He was the top scorer during the 2007-2008 campaign, with 49 points in 76 games. He also led all forwards in ice time, playing 15 minutes per game.
The following year, he missed 17 straight games with a hip injury, lowering his point total from the season prior. He still notched 20 points in 41 games, and shared the ice alongside then-rookie Josh Bailey, the only current Islander from that roster. In February 2009, the Islanders traded Comrie and Chris Campoli to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Dean McAmmond and a first-round pick.
Bill Guerin (2007-2009)
Just like Comrie, Guerin’s two-year stay on the Island was from 2007-2009. He was team captain for both seasons, and was the 11th captain in franchise history. Guerin had already made a huge name for himself around the league, having played for four different teams (New Jersey, Edmonton, Boston and Dallas) before signing with New York.
The 2013 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee finished second on the team in points in 2007-2008 behind the aforementioned Comrie. His scoring consistency continued the following year, as he managed to tally 16 goals and 21 assists in 61 games. Although the team did not succeed much during his stint, his veteran leadership helped mentor young players like Mark Streit, Kyle Okposo, Josh Bailey and Frans Nielsen.
P.A. Parenteau (2010-2012)
P.A. Parenteau fit in extremely well with the Islanders system in his two seasons with the organization, even in the short-term. He solidified the first line right-wing spot alongside a young John Tavares, and he played a huge role in progressing Tavares’s career.
Parenteau scored 20 goals and added 33 assists in his first season on Long Island, good for third on the team behind Tavares and Matt Moulson. He finished 12th in the league in assists with 49 the following season, and 13 of those came on Tavares goals. Parenteau became an unrestricted free agent and signed with the Colorado Avalanche the following year.
Brad Boyes (2012-2013)
In a shortened 48-game season in 2012-2013, Brad Boyes provided a spark that helped the Isles clinch their first playoff berth in six years. He signed a short-term, one-year deal with the Islanders before the season, and he appeared in every single game. Not only did he put up 35 points, which placed him third on the team in scoring, but he notched two assists in Game four of the Isles’ first round victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. He wound up signing with the Florida Panthers during the offseason.
Thomas Vanek (2013-2014)
A controversial trade led to Thomas Vanek’s brief career with the Islanders. New York acquired Vanek from the Buffalo Sabres for Matt Moulson and two draft picks, leaving some fans doubting the competency of the front office. At the trade deadline a few months later, the Islanders traded away Vanek as a rental to Montreal, ending his 47-game career with the Islanders.
Vanek did have a successful time on Long Island despite of the off-ice drama. Sharing the first line with Tavares and Okposo, he finished fourth on the team in scoring despite playing in significantly less games than most of his teammates.
The Islanders offered him a seven-year deal before trading him, but Vanek declined the offer and eventually signed with Minnesota.
