Multiple players on the New York Islanders are close to etching their names among the team’s career leaders in games played, goals, assists, wins and shutouts.

The current era of Islanders hockey has reached heights the team hasn’t seen in a long time. Despite a bad 2021-22 season, the team has succeeded in the regular season and postseason under Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz. With some of the deepest postseason runs in the post-dynasty era, today’s Islanders have left their mark on the franchise. The individual accolades they’ve compiled are among the best in franchise history.

Josh Bailey

Josh Bailey hasn’t been nearly as productive as some Islanders of the dynasty era. However, he has been incredibly loyal to the team. The Islanders are the only team he’s played for since the team drafted him ninth overall in 2008.

Bailey has 971 games for the franchise under his belt, good for third all time in franchise history. He could potentially become the third Islander to play 1,000 games with the team as well if he sticks around next season.

Bailey also sits fourth all time in team history with 373 assists, and 10th all time in points with 541. In fact, Bailey is a point away from tying Bob Bourne (ninth) and three from tying John Tonelli (eighth).

Anders Lee and Brock Nelson

Anders Lee and Brock Nelson have been consistent goal scorers under Barry Trotz. Lee, a member of the Islanders since 2013, has blossomed into a captain and netfront presence, notching 207 career goals. Nelson, who’s been with the team since 2013-14, has 195 goals to his credit, five shy of joining Anders Lee as the 13th player to score 200 with the team. They’ve both had success finding the back of the net lately.

Lee is four goals away from tying Derek King for 10th all time. Bobby Nystrom (235) and Bourne (238) are ninth and eighth, respectively. Nelson still has a ways to go to reach any of the players on the list, but he can potentially get close before this season ends.

Goaltending

Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov have formed a rock solid goalie tandem in net, and the two have been key pieces to many Islanders wins the past few seasons. The team’s goaltending ranks are likely to see major change as a result of their performance.

Varlamov boasts a 43-37-12 record as an Islander, while Sorokin has a 34-19-10 record since his NHL debut. Evgeni Nabakov currently holds the 10th spot with 57 victories, so both Varlamov and Sorokin could pass him by next season. As Sorokin becomes the team’s number one goalie, he is more than likely to get there and beyond. One hundred victories would put him sixth all time, one behind Thomas Greiss for fifth.

Sorokin and Varlamov are already tied for seventh in team history with nine shutouts. Greiss sits alone in sixth with 10.

Varlamov is also the team’s current all time leader in save percentage (.919) and goals against average (2.45).

The performances of Bailey, Lee and  Nelson have them rising up various offensive leaderboards. Also, both Sorokin and Varlamov could each become some of the best Islanders’ goalies in team history. Although the team hasn’t been able to win, some of the players on this Islanders team will go down in team history forever.

Matthew Page

I am a first year student at Hofstra University and an avid Islanders fan. I have been writing for Drive4Five since March 2020. My family has been season ticket holders for the team since 2016, and hockey is my favorite sport. As I expand my knowledge in the field of Journalism, I am writing to express my love for the Islanders and the NHL.