Islanders Core of the Four Anders Kallur: Swedish Army Knife

Time with Isles

He’d join the Isles for the 1979-80 season and his impact was felt almost immediately. Kallur put up his first career NHL goal and assist in a 6-1 win over the Hartford Whalers. That was the third game of his NHL career.

That season Kallur would put up 22 goals and 30 assists for 52 points. With 35 points at 5on5, 13 on the power play, and four shorthanded points (all goals) Kallur’s importance to the Isles in all situations was clear.

He’d follow up that ‘rookie’ season (he was 27 when he made the jump to the NHL), with a 64 point sophomore year. Again, he’d produce in every situation for the Isles. Forty-one points at 5on5, 14 on the powerplay, and nine shorthanded points (six goals and three assists).

Throughout his NHL career, Anders Kallur would record 211 points in 383 games. He’d also score 19 shorthanded goals. Only Wayne Gretzky (40) and Butch Goring (20) would have more shorthanded goals in that stretch.

Kallur was used not only in every situation but just about everywhere in the lineup. He was primarily a middle-six player, but it wasn’t rare to see him move up to the top line for a shift or two. I like to think of him as the Swedish Army Knife.

He was just as productive when it came to the playoffs. In 78 career playoff games, Kallur has 35 points. During the Isles fourth championship run, Kallur put up three goals and 12 assists for 15 points.

In those 78 career playoff games, he also recorded five shorthanded goals. Only Wayne Gretzky has more shorthanded goals over that stretch with eight.

In 1980, along with teammate Stefan Persson, he became one the first European’s to win the Stanley Cup.

It wasn’t an incredibly long career with only six years in the NHL, but then again he didn’t get to the NHL until he was 27 years old. While his NHL career may have been short it was an impactful one.