New York Islanders Best Player Drafted by Position

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UNIONDALE, NY – MARCH 02: Denis Potvin of the ‘Core of the Four’ New York Islanders Stanley Cup victories take part in a ceremony prior to the Islanders game against the Florida Panthers at the Nassau Coliseum March 2, 2008 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Denis Potvin | Defense

Again, this list wasn’t too hard to come up with. When you look at the defensemen that the New York Islanders drafted, there’s a clear name that jumps out at you. Denis Potvin.

His 1060 games played stand head-and-shoulders over any other defensemen to play for the Islanders (not just the ones that were drafted by the team). His 1052 points dwarf any blueliner to suit up for the Islanders.

Fellow Islanders blueliner and draftee Stefan Persson (drafted in the 1974 fourth round) is second to Potvin in points for Islanders defensemen with 369 points. That’s a 683 point spread.

Along with being the team captain for all four Stanley Cups, he won three Norris trophies and the 1973 Calder trophy. Denis Potvin is easily the greatest defensemen to ever play for the New York Islanders. His production with the Orange and Blue sweater won’t soon be matched.

Potvin’s 1052 points rank seventh for defensemen ever. Out of 1910 defensemen to ever play in the NHL only six have produced more than Potvin did. Only one produced more points per game than Potvin and that was Paul Coffey with 1.09 points-per-game to Potvin’s 0.99.

Not only was Potvin the greatest Islanders defenseman to ever play, he was one of the greatest defensemen to ever play the game.

Honorable mention: Stefan Persson, Tomas Johnsson