Eyes On Isles
Fansided

Islanders History: Three of the Toughest Seasons Ever

By Bryan Lotto

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: The New York Islanders flag flies prior to the game between the Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on April 10, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: The New York Islanders flag flies prior to the game between the Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on April 10, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
MONTREAL – JUNE 26: Alternate Governor Bill Torrey and Assistant General Manager Randy Sexton of the Florida Panthers look on during the first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft at the Bell Centre on June 26, 2009 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
MONTREAL – JUNE 26: Alternate Governor Bill Torrey and Assistant General Manager Randy Sexton of the Florida Panthers look on during the first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft at the Bell Centre on June 26, 2009 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Looking back over the New York Islanders near 50-year history, what were the three toughest seasons to life through as an Islanders fan?

All New York Islanders fans know of the woeful times, the failed ownerships, and the arena uncertainty. Unfortunately, the on-ice Islander story wasn’t much better.

I’m guilty. These challenging times have brought out the pessimist in me. But the bad days provide all of us with a greater appreciation for the good days!

Let’s look at three of the most failure filled fan deflating Islander seasons in our history.

1972-1973

One might give a pass to a team’s first NHL season. Before the Vegas Knights, NHL expansion franchises rarely enjoyed a successful first year in the league.

However, it’s hard to discount the futility reflected with a .192 winning percentage (12-60-6; 30 points).

The 72′ Isles were in trouble well before the first puck dropped.

The expansion draft brought Gerry Hart, Billy Smith, Eddie Westfall, but little else.

The WHA was a formidable force at the time. The Islanders themselves were created to keep the  WHA’s NY Raiders out of Nassau Coliseum. When Bill Torrey made expansion picks of veterans, Bart Crashley, Ted Hampson, and Norm Ferguson they (and more) immediately left the NHL for the WHA.

Billy Harris, Lorne Henning, Garry Howatt, and Bobby Nystrom were selected in the 1972 entry draft, and all played for the big club. The 20-year-old Harris lead the team in scoring (GP78-G28-A22-50).

Gordie Howe was offered the coaching position but declined.

Instead, Phil Goyette, (who never coached again), was fired mid-year and replaced by his former Ranger teammate Earl Ingarfeld.

Both won six games each.

The young Isles had a fan base of mostly Ranger fans that lived in Long Island.

The Coliseum was not yet home.

Home/Editorials