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New York Islanders Top 10 Centers In Franchise History

AMPA, FL - JANUARY 27: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders looks on during the Enterprise NHL Fastest Skater during the 2018 GEICO NHL All-Star Skills Competition at Amalie Arena on January 27, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
AMPA, FL - JANUARY 27: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders looks on during the Enterprise NHL Fastest Skater during the 2018 GEICO NHL All-Star Skills Competition at Amalie Arena on January 27, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 07: Media members (l-r) Stan Fischler and Butch Goring play table hockey prior to the game between the New York Islanders and the Vancouver Canucks at the Barclays Center on November 7, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 07: Media members (l-r) Stan Fischler and Butch Goring play table hockey prior to the game between the New York Islanders and the Vancouver Canucks at the Barclays Center on November 7, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Butch Goring

Butch Goring came to the New York Islanders as a wily veteran. He’d been in the NHL for almost eleven full seasons before he came to Long Island by trade. A trade he repeatedly states he didn’t want at the time.

Little did he know what he was in for. (Success. It was success.)

With eleven seasons playing with the Los Angeles Kings, Butch Goring put together 659 points and eight seasons with 50 or more points. On five occasions he finished in the top four for the Lady Byng trophy. On the fifth occasion winning it along with the Masterton Trophy.

But the Islanders needed his help to round out their already successful roster. They brought him in to give them that one-two punch down the middle. Up top, Bryan Trottier and then Butch Goring to round out the top two lines. It worked.

The Islanders won four straight Stanley Cups with Goring as their second line center. Goring played a pivotal role in all of the Islanders championships, but his most valuable performance came in 1980-81 where he put up 29 points in the playoffs. Earning him the Conn Smythe for playoff MVP.

Goring was good in every situation, especially on the penalty kill. Not only was he a good penalty killer, but Goring was effective at finding opportunities going the other way. He ranks sixth all-time in NHL history with 39 goals.

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