New York Islanders Top 10 Best Trades in Team History

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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) /

Butch Goring From the Los Angeles Kings

He was the missing piece of the puzzle. After acquiring Butch Goring from the Los Angeles Kings during the 1980 trade deadline the New York Islanders ascended into hockey history.

In 1979 the Islanders were an outstanding team. With a 51-15-134 record, they easily made the playoffs. Big things were expected of them. Until the Rangers bounced them in the semifinals.

The one weakness the Islanders had was depth down the middle. While they had one of the best centers in the league in Bryan Trottier, he couldn’t be on both the first and second lines.

The Islanders needed someone else who could not only put up some points but control the entire 200-feet of ice. Los Angeles Kings center Butch Goring was that player.

By 1980 Butch Goring had 659 points in 736 games for the Kings. He won a Lady Byng and Masterton trophy in 1977-78. To get him the Islanders sent a good scoring winger in Billy Harris and steady defenseman Dave Lewis to LA.

Goring proved to be exactly what the Islanders needed. In 99 playoff games for the Islanders Goring would put up 68 points. Including 20 points in 18 playoff games winning the Conn Smythe trophy as the Islanders won their second of four back-to-back Stanley Cups.