New York Islanders Best Late Draft Picks in Franchise History

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Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Kieffer Bellows poses for a photo after being selected as the number nineteen overall draft pick by the New York Islanders in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Greg Gilbert (1980) – 4th Round, 80th Overall

The 1980 NHL say the New York Islanders select Brent Sutter 17th overall. The second Sutter brother to have been drafted by the Islanders, he’d be the most successful. In 12 year with the Isles Brent put up 610 points in 694 games played.

But in the fourth round, they landed on Greg Gilbert. The Mississauga native had a poor draft year with 21 points in 68 games for the Toronto Marlboros in 1979-80. But in two years he dominated, exploding for 108 points in 65 games during the 1981-82 OHL season.

It seemed like the Islanders had found an absolute gem in the draft.

At the end of the OHL season, he joined the Islanders for a single regular season game and for the playoffs. Playing in four games in the post-season, Gilbert got his first taste of success as the Isles triumphed for the third straight year. His best season came in 1983-84 where he notched 66 points in 79 games.

He didn’t finish his career with the Isles, after a down year in 1989 the Isles sent him to Chicago for a fifth-round draft pick. He’d eventually move on from the Blackhawks to the rival Rangers and earn his third Stanley Cup ring.