SB Nation New York Editor's Pick
What's the Best Islanders Draft Class? Poll Added.
by Mark D on Jun 3, 2010 4:44 PM EDT
Email
PrintConsidering my previous FP on the Worst Islanders Draft Class was popular, I thought why not see what the Best Islanders draft class is. For those that need a quick reference, here is a list of all Islanders picks. We're keeping choices from 1979 (The first Entry Draft) to today. Considering the last poll was almost won by a dark horse (Hans' argument for the inclusion of 2003) and that it's a lot tougher to judge the better parts of a draft class, I wanted everyone's opinion on who should be in the poll before I post it. Recommend a single class, or four, it's your choice. Sometime over the weekend I'll add the poll for the most popular choices.
My personal choices are:
1980: Sutter, Hrudley and Gilbert
1983: Lafontaine and Diduck
1993: Bertuzzi, McCabe, Salo and Van Impe
1996: Dumont and Chara
Close Runners Up
1986: Fitzgerald, Vaske, Pilon and Berg
1991: Lachance, Palffy, McLennan
1997: Luongo and Brewer
1999: Conolly, Payatt and Martinek
I think you can't ignore LaFontaine's year because he is in the HoF. Sutter, Hrudley and Gilbert had long careers. 93 Probably has the most long term players. 96 I just think Chara has a shot at the HoF and Dumont is considered the best 1st rounder to come out of that class.
Thoughts, arguments, I'm an idiot? I'm willing to hear it all. I tried to stay away from the 2000s drafts, just because the early ones were awful and the rest it's still too soon.
So going by the comments I went with the original four and 2008. By popular demand, I'm going to follow this up with a best Draft Class Pre 79. Then the top two vote getters of this poll and that poll will face off.
Submitted FanPosts do not necessarily reflect the views of this blog or SB Nation. If you're reading this statement, you pass the fine print legalese test. Four stars for you.
47 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Great evergreen topic
And since you’re starting at 1979, it’s always helpful to remember this:
In 1979, the rules were again changed allowing players who had previously played professionally to be drafted. This rule change was made to facilitate the absorption of players from the defunct World Hockey Association. Consequently, the name of the draft was changed from “NHL Amateur Draft” to “NHL Entry Draft”. Beginning in 1980, any player who is between the ages of 18 and 20 is eligible to be drafted. In addition, any non-North American player over the age of 20 can be selected.
Lighthouse Hockey: Playing the NHL Lotto
MMM
Does anyone think any GM will ever be able to trade 3 of the top 5 selected players from one single draft like Milbury did with the 1997 class?
Definitely should rank higher on his resume of infamy than the shoe incident.
Lighthouse Hockey: Playing the NHL Lotto
Picking up little known facts...
Todd McLellan, current coach of the Sharks was drafted by the Isles in 1986 in the 5th round. Interesting.
From the Penalty Box to the Blog Box! Check it out at Isles Official's Outlook!
Also, if you want to project a bit, I’d say that the 2008 Draft Class might be the most successful in team history. It really is chock full of potential difference makers in the future NHL.
Bailey, Ness, Hamonic, Petrov, Donovan, Ullstrom, Poulin, Martin
From the Penalty Box to the Blog Box! Check it out at Isles Official's Outlook!
by IslesOfficial on Jun 4, 2010 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Todd McLellan, current coach of the Sharks was drafted by the Isles in 1986 in the 5th round. Interesting.
Ha, I came across that the other day too! It’s really funny going back through the old drafts, the things you stumble across.
t this rate, I believe the 1980s/early-90s Islanders were excellent at drafting future NHL assistant coaches/GMs.
Lighthouse Hockey: Playing the NHL Lotto
the 1980s/early-90s Islanders were excellent at drafting future NHL assistant coaches/GMs.
in the 90s they drafted a decent number of captains, too- some of them might waind up coaching someday.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Jun 9, 2010 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions
If we can’t use a draft that contains the names “Potvin”, “Trottier” or “Bossy”, I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.
Obviously, if we’re looking at the best player drafted and played their best hockey with the Islanders, we’re looking at Lafontaine’s year.
If we’re looking at the best YEAR, not caring if the players in question played well for US, then you can look to the years you’ve mentioned. I can’t bring myself to do that.
So I’m going to jump firmly and without reservation at 2008, since that’s the year we began going where we want to go, free from the influence of Mad Mike. I hope I’m wrong, in that I hope we have even better years in future, but IMO, 2008 is the turning point.
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Jun 4, 2010 11:50 AM EDT reply actions
That’s why I left it open, do we go with the guys who have had their best successes with the Islanders, or just the best guys we have drafted.
I don’t think the Amateur drafts would be as fun to debate. 1974 (Trots and Gillies) would probably run away with it, with 77 (Bossy and Tonelli) placing 2nd.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
I’ll take it that’s because we traded Lewis for Goring?
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
We drafted The Captain in 1973
and instantly became a contender. No other player we have ever drafted has ever had that kind of immediate and dramatic impact. In fact, I am not sure that any player any NHL team has ever drafted has had that kind of immediate and dramatic impact. Lorimer and then Lewis being part of the Goring deal are just icing on the cake.
I think I’ve admitted before that I’m bad with Islanders history. I think it’s just easier to remember what I’ve seen as compared to what I’ve read about.
But this shows that a poll on pre 79 drafts would probably be closer then I thought. Next week or so once there’s a clear winner on this.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
The poll might be close
but there is a fairly wide concensus that The Captain was the best player ever to wear the blue and orange and that he was THE foundational player for the dynasty team. Add to that a piece of the Goring trade and a pretty good defenseman in Lorimer and I don’t think there should be a question.
Isles Best Draft
I’d have to go with 1993: Bertuzzi, McCabe, Salo and Van Impe. No HOF’ers, but, they have all had long successful careers. A very close 2nd would be 1983: LaFontaine, Mikko Makela and Gerald Diduck. LaFontaine is an All Time Great and HOF’er, Makela put together some fine seasons on the Island, and Diduck was a good stay at home defenseman.
1974; enough said
Gillies, Trottier, Langevin, Persson.
Probably the best draft any team has ever had in NHL history. All other Isles drafts pale in comparison.
1973: more said
The Captain who was the Foundation of the Dynasty, who made this team into a contender his first year and who is widely regarded as the most talented Islander ever…plus two good defensemen, one of whom was the payoff on the Goring trade. Sorry but 1974 isn’t in the same zip code.
2 Cents worth
I feel the love for the greatest Islander, and the best defenseman not named Orr to ever wear skates. (don’t tell Denis I only ranked him #2 ever.) BUT I’ve gotta go with ’74! The best two way center of his era, and NHL scoring champion. The best Power forwar ever. A top pair power play quarterback and a #3 shutdown D-man. on a very deep defense. Has to be the best draft haul EVER!
Draft Connolly, we need more offence- Don't gimme no hip.
all of them put together
did not have the impact on the franchise that Denis did. They were all very important pieces, but Denis was the Foundation and Lewis helped get the player that put the Isles over the top. And ask Bobby O with a lie detector hooked up whether he’d rather have his rep as one of the two best players of all time and one ring or be ignored as Denis is and have four. Even he admitted to Chris B. that Denis could have done much more individually if he hadn’t been working within the Arbour system. But then he probably also would not have those four rings. And Ranger fans hated the Bruins back then just as much as the Islanders. But they don’t sing songs about Bobby O, do they?
Playoff contender
Dennis Potvin’s first season ‘73-’74, the Islanders MISSED the playoffs. Gillies first season, the year after he and Trottier were drafted is when the Islanders began their series of deep playoff runs. But the cup didn’t come to L.I. until Trottier, Bossy, Potvin and Gillies were all in their primes, so I don’t beleive one man was the foundation, he was just a couple years older.
Draft Connolly, we need more offence- Don't gimme no hip.
Potvin’s first season the Islanders gave up 100 fewer goals and had 22 more points than the previous season. Then as now, you start with defense and Denis was the rock of the Islander defense as well as a key cog in their offense and PP. He was often playing 40 minutes a night. Clarkie was a great PF but Denis was the foundation.
1973 was a one man draft
The highlights of the 1973 draft were Potvin and Dave Lewis. You could also make a case for Andre St. Laurent, but that is stretching things. One hall of famer and one stay at home defenseman vs. 1974 which had two hall of famers and two rock solid defenseman; there is no comparison. Potvin is a top-five defenseman of all-time but Mike Bossy was/is clearly the most talented Islander of all-time. Sorry Webbard; I realize this post was supposed to be about post-1979 but most of those drafts were terrible and not worth talking about. I choose the 1980 draft for what it’s worth. That was the last draft that the Isles got three impact players who stuck around for awhile.
Bossy was not the most talented Islander of all time. There is a pretty wide consensus that Denis was. In fact, if memory serves Denis was the highest rated Islander when they did that top fifty or 100 list some years ago.
There were three important players in the 1973 draft: Denis, Lewis, and Lorimer. The man who should be considered the greatest defenseman of all time and the best Islander ever and two other good defensemen, one of whom was used to bring about the greatest trade in Islander and all Deadline Day history that launched the franchise on its Cup run. That is the best draft ever for any team.
Here's the list
- Potvin
- Bossy
- Trottier
No other Islanders made the list. I had thought that Potvin was farther ahead of Bossy on the list. I am convinced that he should be in the top five or at least the top ten, but anyway, here it is.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_100_greatest_NHL_players_by_The_Hockey_News
Great link
Billy Smith will be crushed! I’ve gotta respect your passion BC even if you aren’t going to convince me.
Draft Connolly, we need more offence- Don't gimme no hip.
1973 and the one-man draft
Not only one-man, but a simply obvious choice for them at #1. Great to get Potvin, but I always weigh a little bit the actual decision-making needed. There really wasn’t a decision to make with Potvin.
Lighthouse Hockey: Playing the NHL Lotto
well Lewis and Lorimer were very solid players
and Lewis did help them get Goring. I would LOVE to know who Pollack offered Bowtie Bill.
Here's an interesting factiod
I was reading somewhere that the last team to ice three players from the same draft was the 95 Avalanche (I think I got the year and team correct but I may be wrong). By virtue of just having a successful draft year the Islanders have a shot at icing four from the 08 draft.
Bailey is already on the team.
Martin is pretty much a lock to make the team next season.
Hamonic may need a season of AHL seasoning or shutteling back and forth between AHL/NHL.
Petrov is pretty much a distant forth.
Unknowns as of now are Donovan, Poulin, Toews and Ullstrom.
3 players from the same draft? is that drafted by the same team? The Isles had 3 of the top 5 players picked on the team at the same time for a few years, but Jokinen was picked up in a trade.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
From what I saw in exhibition and have heard since
Poulin seems a lock to be an NHLer whether with us or someone else. I’d say Donovan and Spurgeon are pretty good bets to be NHL players as well.
Proving once again I should look up names that I think I know. I think I’ve spelled Turgeon about five different ways the last year or two. The sad part is that he’s one of my all time favorite Islanders and I still get it wrong.
The Islanders went from Marty McInnis and a 2nd Overall pick to Jesse Joensuu.
Its the internet, spelling is always optional, especially when we know what you mean...
I think its even more so now that we post some of this crap off our iPhones or Blackberrys where typos are almost unavoidable.
No doubt
I’m an editor (and stickler) by trade, but I have recently been exposed first-hand to the perils of these damn smartphone virtual keyboards and their auto-correct. They give me a fat thumbs complex.
Lighthouse Hockey: Playing the NHL Lotto
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Lighthouse Hockey
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Featured Stories
Islanders Schedule
Next 5 Games
@
St. Louis
|
Thu 02/16 | 8:00 PM EST |
|
Carolina
|
Sat 02/18 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
Ottawa
|
Mon 02/20 | 1:00 PM EST |
|
@
Buffalo
|
Tue 02/21 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
New York Rangers
|
Fri 02/24 | 7:00 PM EST |
Last 5 Games
|
@
Winnipeg
|
Tue 02/14 | W 3 - 1 |
|
Florida
|
Sun 02/12 | L 1 - 4 |
|
Los Angeles
|
Sat 02/11 | OT - W 2 - 1 |
|
Montreal
|
Thu 02/09 | L 2 - 4 |
|
@
Philadelphia
|
Tue 02/07 | SO - W 1 - 0 |
Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New York Rangers
|
55 | 37 | 13 | 5 | 79 |
|
Philadelphia
|
56 | 31 | 18 | 7 | 69 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
56 | 32 | 19 | 5 | 69 |
|
New Jersey
|
56 | 32 | 20 | 4 | 68 |
|
New York Islanders
|
56 | 24 | 24 | 8 | 56 |
(updated 2.15.2012 at 8:59 AM EST)
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Jeremy Roenick’s OK with Blackhawks trading Patrick Kane for goalie upgrade
- Puck Headlines: Rick Nash chatter; Jagr turns 40; Ovechkin too much of a rock star?
- NHL Trade Deadline Dream Scenarios: Whom do you want to go where?
- Marek Vs. Wyshynski Radio: Hurricanes Coach Kirk Muller, Red Wings goalie Joey MacDonald, Nash talk
- Puck Daddy Hockey Rumors (mostly about Rick Nash) Live Chat!
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
