Best player in franchise history-New York Islanders

[toothlessgoon]

Previous poll winners

Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews (30.5%)
Montreal Canadiens: Jean Beliveau (43.8)
New York Rangers: Brian Leetch (48.5%)
Chicago Blackhawks: Bobby Hull (57.0%)
Detroit Red Wings: Gordie Howe (81.6%)
Boston Bruins: Bobby Orr (88.9%)
St. Louis Blues: Brett Hull (80.5%)
Philadelphia Flyers: Bobby Clarke (61.4%)
Pittsburgh Penguins: Mario Lemieux (91.3%)
Los Angeles Kings: Wayne Gretzky (68.6%)
Dallas Stars: Mike Modano (88.1)
Buffalo Sabres: Dominic Hasek (88.4%)
Vancouver Canucks: Pavel Bure (65.0%)

Click to read more...

 

[pcruz]

Bossy or Trottier or Potvin.....

Went Bossy

 

[Regal]

Went Potvin. I don’t think any of the big three is wrong, but I think Potvin was ultimately the most important, didn’t win a Smythe but was probably the most consistent in the dynasty playoffs, he played 5 years longer than Bossy (and the same number as Trottier), and was captain during the dynasty.

 

[Plural]

#1 Potvin
#2 Trottier
#3 Bossy

Don't think anyone else comes all that close.

 

[GlitchMarner]

Who the hell is Tony Tonelli?? Tony the f***ing Tiger?

And how does Streit have more votes than Trottier?

 

[Voight]

Tony Tonelli? Did you mean John?

 

[Ivo]

One of the few teams where this is actually an interesting question. You could make an argument for any of the big three.

 

[snipes]

Between Bossy and Potvin, this one will be close.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I went with Potvin over Bossy. Nothing wrong with choosing Bossy, one of the great pure goal scorers in history, but he didn't bring a whole lot to the table beyond that sheer scoring power. Potvin was all-round dominant, and in his prime he hit a level that only a couple of defensemen (namely, himself and Bobby Orr) have ever really touched.

I don't think many people realize that Potvin was past his peak when the Islanders dynasty was in full swing:

- He joined the Isles in '73 when they were a horrible expansion team, immediately became the team scoring leader and won the Calder.
- The following season, as a 21-year-old, he finished 2nd to Bobby Orr for the Norris as the scoring leader on a team that was suddenly much better.
- As a 22-year-old in his third season, he won the Norris and finished 2nd for the Hart while scoring 98 points on a team that was suddenly a Cup contender.
- He ended up winning 3 out of 4 Norrises before the dynasty started.
- Having passed his peak, he then proceeded to be the heart and soul of a team that won 4 consecutive Stanley Cups.

Players who started in the 70s and finished in the 80s tended to have short careers. Potvin was still a very good but not Norris-level defenseman when he retired at 34. The oldest player in the league that year was 36. If Potvin had been born just a few years later and had the typical trajectory of Gretzky's generation -- meaning he would have played at least 5 more years and ended up retiring somewhere near the end of the 90s -- I suspect he would be far more appreciated.

 

[bobholly39]

I voted Potvin - considered Bossy. Simply put, I think Potvin was "better" at his best, but it's close.

This was a good poll - looking forward to the Tampa poll. Arguably will be one of the most interesting ones. Colorado too, maybe

 

[Lavar Ball]

Bossy, Trottier, and Potvin all respectable answers

 

[tsujimoto74]

Wonder whether the Tavares votes are trolls or just kids who aren't aware that hockey was played before the 2000s.

 

[Ignite111]

Wonder whether the Tavares votes are trolls or just kids who aren't aware that hockey was played before the 2000s.

I’m pretty sure it’s Toronto fans.

 

[Xspyrit]

I'm voting for the guy who started his career with 9 straight 50+ goals seasons (while scoring 83 more goals in the playoffs including 3 straight NEAR 1 goal per game (17 g in 18 gp, 17 g in 19 gp, 17 g in 19 gp) performances)

Unfortunately he only played 63 more games after that and was forced to retire

Plus, I had some kind of crush on his daughter in high school

 

[AvroArrow]

I’m pretty sure it’s Toronto fans.

There's 2 votes for Tavares relax

 

[tabness]

Gotta include some of the other dynasty Islanders guys as options, Gillies and even Bourne, Nystrom, Sutter

 

[Midnight Judges]

Voted Bossy because the question was best. Greatest I probably vote Potvin because his total career contributions to the organization spanned more years and likely accumulated more value in that extra time.

 

[Ignite111]

There's 2 votes for Tavares relax

No relax needed. Others questioned the Tavares votes. All I did was answer why. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.

 

[slapKing]

Gotta include some of the other dynasty Islanders guys as options, Gillies and even Bourne, Nystrom, Sutter

Not really. In fact, this is between 3 guys in bossy/trottier/potvin. everyone else has no business being here.

 

[wetcoast]

Went Potvin. I don’t think any of the big three is wrong, but I think Potvin was ultimately the most important, didn’t win a Smythe but was probably the most consistent in the dynasty playoffs, he played 5 years longer than Bossy (and the same number as Trottier), and was captain during the dynasty.

I'm actually surprised Potvin isn't winning by a larger margin.

 

[wetcoast]

I'm voting for the guy who started his career with 9 straight 50+ goals seasons (while scoring 83 more goals in the playoffs including 3 straight NEAR 1 goal per game (17 g in 18 gp, 17 g in 19 gp, 17 g in 19 gp) performances)

Unfortunately he only played 63 more games after that and was forced to retire

Plus, I had some kind of crush on his daughter in high school

I'm pretty sure that excludes you from voting...

 

[Ducks in a row]

 

[GMR]

Potvin made that team go. He gets my vote with Trottier second.

 

[82Ninety42011]

Potvin he was something special but can understand people going Bossy.

 

[SillyRabbit]

Went Potvin. I don’t think any of the big three is wrong, but I think Potvin was ultimately the most important, didn’t win a Smythe but was probably the most consistent in the dynasty playoffs, he played 5 years longer than Bossy (and the same number as Trottier), and was captain during the dynasty.

Potvin deserved the Smythe in 1981.

His play during that four year run was incredibly elite, I think he can be argued over Bossy for peak as well as longevity.