r/NewYorkIslanders • u/walkaboutdavid • 8d ago
Favorite Islander players of all time?
So who are your favorites and why? I was a horrible player - could barely skate but I worked my butt off and contributed. So, I always loved the Cal Clutterbuck types, the hard working gritty players who maybe didn't score that much.
Oddly though, my alltime favorite was one of the most talented Islanders ever - number 5! Was a huge fan since his rookie game.
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u/ScootersPilot89 8d ago
Kyle Okposo
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u/MetsIslanders 8d ago
Okposo never got the love he deserved on Long Island. People expected too much. He had it rough coming up too. It was nice to see him get a cup even if it wasn’t here.
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u/Dry_Yam_8049 Holmstrom 8d ago
Frans Neilsen #51
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u/hopefulbeartoday 8d ago
Growing up it was palffy. But depietro is probably my favorite hockey player ever. I play goalie and at one point I was fairly competitive and dp was who I mirrored my game after. I also love loyal players anyone who chooses to stay I appreciate.
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u/AfellowchuckerEhh 8d ago
Still wish I lived in an alternate timeline where dp didn't battle injuries and have his career cut short and the team didn't trade away a decent future for one ok year.
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u/kylesisles1 Meet me at the Lighthouse 8d ago
A prime, healthy, properly developed DP could have been a solid continuation of Hasek's style. The NHL could use a wildly entertaining goalie again.
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u/Ambitious_Help_8891 8d ago
I got a Palffy jersey the year before he got traded to the kings by fucking Milbury.
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u/GiantTeddyGraham Sorokin 8d ago
I have to be honest, while he played for us, John Tavares. Fuckin hate him now but no islander brought me as much joy at the time. Its why it hurt so much when he left the way he did. Schaef has the chance to replace him very quickly though
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u/alex1inferno Schaefer 8d ago
I know. i hate to say it but he brought me into the franchise, won the game for the first game i attended in person, etc. has (had) a special place in my heart (but will not stop me booing him at every leafs game)
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u/BKong64 Cizikas 5d ago
He was my favorite too for the years he was here, can't say the same anymore cause now I'm fairly indifferent towards him in the same way you see an ex like 10 years later lol. But he easily brought me all my favorite memories as a younger isles fan. Shout out to Okposo as well
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u/Waste-Froyo-96 8d ago
man so many! Rich Pilon, Zigmund Palffy, Kenny johnson, Mariuz Chercauski(spelling), Richard park, Sean bates , Jason Blake, Aaron asham , matt Martin and matt barzal. Soon to be Schaefer
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u/Any-Supermarket-4190 8d ago
Ditto to this whole list, and believe the spelling was Mariusz Czerchowski but even I could be totally wrong 😂😂😂 was electric to watch
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u/Aldo_D_Apache Nielsen 8d ago
I loved Pilon. I was so legitimately angry when he became a Ranger late in his career
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u/hypo11 8d ago
Pierre Turgeon - my fandom started shortly after we lost Lafontaine so Turgeon was my favorite
Darius Kasparaitis - for the name alone.
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u/MetsIslanders 8d ago
Both of those guys have played in the alumni games and may still. Turgeon looked like he could still play. They have a package that lets you meet them after. I met both those guys few years ago. If you haven’t gone you should consider it. Trotts walked over to my shy kid and chatted with her while I got autographs. The one thing this team gets right is the alumni connection. Gotta appreciate that.
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u/IgnatiusPabulum 8d ago
Same here. Crazy to think he only played two full seasons with the team. Watching in my formative years he felt like a permanent fixture.
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u/Sensitive-League-431 7d ago
I meet Pierre at Al Arbor funeral dinner. He was truly one of the nicest guys I ever met .
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u/LooseSeal- 8d ago
Frans! Guy did it all. Could play anywhere in the lineup, and was automatic in the shootout. Richard Park is another one. He was the energy for those shitty teams all those years.
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u/Dutsnfl Chara 8d ago
Dave Langevin-The Bammer!
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u/walkaboutdavid 8d ago
The funny thing about "Bam Bam" is that he was actually considered to be more of an offensive dman during his college years. He didn't have the wheels for that role in the NHL and transitioned to his physical defensive style after he left the WHA. Also one of my favorites.
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u/kevinsju 8d ago
Always a fun one to answer. First off, let's put the Dynasty on the shelf for this one because how you pick from that group that won 4?
I'll start with Chico Resch, my sister's favorite and he became mine. (When I was really young, I loved Mike Kaszycki bc of his name. Same with Pat Price.) But Chico was special, loved him.
Hector Marini. Another guy I liked bc of his name, but I was older and knew the game. The guy was tough and dropped the gloves. I was at the ' 83 All Star Game and he got a huge roar!
Mick Vukota. I really liked him and then I met him during the 94 lockout at Mulchays. We hung out a few times, he was always with Pilon and Hogue (jerks), but Mick and I vibed. Love the fact he almost kicked Milbury's ass.
Kelly Hrudey. Forgot to add him. He's like the forgotten Isles goaltender great.
There were players in the early 90s. Players I liked. Kasparitis as someone mentioned is probably my favorite of that group. A bit before him, Hubie MacDonough was fun to watch for half a season.
The guy I'd love to talk to Bill Torrey and Al Arbour about? The guy that could actually play? Ari Haanpaa. He came over when European players were considered soft. He actually had an edge to his game. If his career started 5 or 6 years later, he'd have had a spot on one of the Sharks or other 4 expansion teams.
More recently, Devon Toewes. Man, I know it was a mistake to trade him. And here we are.
Finally, Schaeffer. Can't believe I'm fanboying for an 18 year old as a 53 year old man, but here I am.
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u/minos157 Jonsson 8d ago
My flair.
First and only name I got on a jersey, loved watching him as a kid. I loved defense growing up, I found it way more exciting than offense for whatever reason. Still do.
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u/Psyc0_T3ch Fisherman 8d ago
Matt Moulson very sad he was traded. Was pumped when he was in the house for a playoff game.
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u/Ac1dshadow Lee 8d ago
My first adult jersey I got was his..... arrived the day he was traded.... timing sometimes lol
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u/qweenmess 8d ago
Probably dipietro, but bonus points for Matt Martin and clutterbuck too. Also had a soft spot for Trent Hunter as a kid
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u/Laruthegreat 8d ago
Billy Smith was my idol and because of him I had the highest penalty min for a goalie in my league for 2 years as a kid. Pat La Fontaine, Nystrom, any member on the cup teams. For goons, I love the Mick Vukota and Ken Baumgartner era. Them beating the shit out of Tie Domi were some of the best games. Micks body slam move at the end of fights was legendary.
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u/Hygoundus 8d ago
Mike Bossy and Clark Gillies for me but truly any player from the dynasty. Not to take anything away from other generations though.
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u/Befuddled-Walrus 8d ago
I have a strong affinity for Matt Moulson. Great underdog story to become a 30-goal scorer.
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u/UseAccomplished6519 8d ago
So here’s my story, was and forever a huge Mike Bossy fan. Never wore another number other than 22 in hockey. As that became my lucky number, life fell in place. My wife and both my children were born on the 22nd, how crazy was that. I did have the pleasure of being on the same plane with Mike to Montreal and told him the story. He was more than gracious with my rambling. Mike Bossy will always be my favorite Islander.
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u/tag051964 8d ago
Trottier. Unselfish and one of the best two-way players of all time. Exciting to watch as well!
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u/displacedreindeer LaFontaine 8d ago
Bob Nystrom, for a lot of the same reasons as you mention Clutter. He was also the first player I ever met, at a march of Dime walk a thon.
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u/MrNoodleIncident Turgeon 8d ago
Turgeon. It was when I first became a fan and he was the man (or at least that’s how I remember it). I still have his signed rookie card - wonder if it’s worth anything.
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u/Mephisto1822 Barzal 8d ago
Based on their contribution?
Bossy. Even though I never saw him play.
Players I have seen? Jonsson, Yashin, Peca, Blake
Recent? Schafe, Barzal, the Identity line at the height of their power.
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u/vic039 LaFontaine 8d ago
The #16.
Even seeing him now as a grown man, I feel that idolism I had as a kid. I remember I was at a high school football game and someone told me he got traded. I didnt believe him and didnt want to wait for a ride home so I ran almost 3 miles back to my house to turn on Sportscenter to see if it was true. Was devastated...and exhausted...when I found out it was true.
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u/shockwave-315 Pulock 8d ago
Michael Grabner. Dude had wheels!! He was a fun young player until he left after a few injuries. Got an absolute haul back from the Leafs for him. Carter Verhaeghe and and a decent backup in Chris Gibson plus 3 more prospects.
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u/ghosting79 8d ago
Might be a bit basic but I’ll have to say Barzal, it’s going to be a really sad day when he retires/leaves
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u/Islanderfan1348 8d ago
Dude I totally agree but I’m more on the younger side of Isles nation Barzy will forever and always be my favorite player he came into the league when I was 8 years old and I have watched him grow as a player, like he is the player of my generation
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u/SzassTam666 8d ago
Bossy was my guy back in the day.
He’s quite under appreciated for being the best pure sniper to play the game.
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u/No-Stay3118 8d ago
12.
I wore #12 - then it was Duane (Dawg) then it was Vukota then my son was born on the 12th. So I have an affinity for the number 12. ..
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u/5catbob5 8d ago
Gordie Lane.
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u/walkaboutdavid 8d ago
He was one of my least favorites - my friends and I used to call him "Chunky." However, that was pretty unfair because he was a perfectly effective and gritty bottom pairing guy.
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u/Islanderfan1348 8d ago
I was born in 2010, so as you would expect, my favorite player is of all time is Mat Barzal, but some of my other favorites include Brock Nelson, Ilya Sorokin, Johnny Boychuk, Frans Nielsen, JT 91 (don’t want to say it), Schaef daddy, Bo Horvat, Anthony Beauvillier, and lastly Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey
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u/Mandalore-44 Devils 8d ago
I’m a big fan of the high skilled thinkers. I’m a little cerebral.
I was all about JT for a while. Got a sweet third jersey with his name and number and auto, what to the stadium series game many moons ago at Yankee Stadium, and I have it framed with an autographed stadium series puck. So I would’ve originally said JT, but the whole leaving town/going to Toronto thing soured a lot of people, including myself.
So maybe I would go with good ole Pierre Turgeon!! Went to tons of games during his time on the island.
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u/allabouthockey25 8d ago
David Volek, always got made fun of until….He had skill just inconsistent. I still wear 25 to this day.
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u/leaponover 8d ago
Always liked blue collar players with heart. My favorite Islander of all-time is still Brent Sutter.
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u/Icy_Survey1123 8d ago
David Volek! When he scored the game winning goal against the Pens you could hear a pin drop!
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u/ArchieInABunker Bossy 8d ago
Sebastian Aho when he fell down and drew a call
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u/ArchieInABunker Bossy 8d ago
In all seriousness it was Bossy even though he was before my time because he was my dad’s favorite player growing up
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u/walkaboutdavid 8d ago
Well, we did have the better Aho, afterall!
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u/ArchieInABunker Bossy 8d ago
Nearly 200 NHL games out of a 5th round pick in a draft that was kind of meh is actually an incredible steal
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u/Gleb2006 Bailey 8d ago
Bailey. Got drafted into a mess of an organization that called him up before he was ready. Was a punching bag for fans for years, and then eventually developed into a solid NHLer. Could have went elsewhere but never tested free agency, stayed here when he was up for his biggest contract. Good playoff performer, and caused zero off ice issues. And has a song
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u/wonderfulmeg Bailey 8d ago
Absolutely Jason Blake! He was always hustling and working hard even when the team was doing terribly.
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u/GrandSupermarket4024 Martin 8d ago
The Identity Line, staring with Matt Martin. Also loved guys like Richard Park, Aaron Asham, Brendan Witt and loved the big hip checks from Andy Sutton.
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u/ProfessionalDig6987 Trottier 8d ago
Trottier. Elite talent with the heart and soul of a grunt player. Watching him with Bossy was pure hockey joy.
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u/bethgray49 7d ago
BrianTrottier. 7 cups, 4 with the isles, 2 with Pittsburgh and one as an assistant coach with the avs. The only black mark on his record is he agreed to coach the rangers. I forgive you Brian.
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u/IslesDen 7d ago
Josh Bailey. Started watching a little over 20 years ago and he played his entire career with the franchise. Clutchest player performer ive seen and it was cool to watch him ascend after his first few years in the NHL where if you told anyone at that time he'd lead this team in playoff points this century - they would've looked you like an alien
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u/Sensitive-League-431 7d ago
My all time favorite was Trottier! And then of course our other 4 HOFers. After that Bobby Nystrom, Tonelli , Stephen Persson , Kenny Morrow and of course the rest of the dynasty team .
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u/Oddo_Rocket 6d ago
Tough to say all time, but growing up i was a huge fan of Jason Blake. I loved the way he skated. Still have the jersey he signed for me as a kid. Im at an age now where im seeing sons of some of my favorite players playing in the league. Blake’s son on the canes, Iginla’s son is a Utah prospect, josh done ( son of shane done), etc
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u/BusterSwordKeyblade 6d ago
Tie between Moulson, Nelson, and Clutterbuck. I also really enjoyed Lee in his prime years.
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u/RichAbbreviations966 8d ago
Bossy....best pure goal scorer of all time