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Islanders: What If Mike Bossy Never Got Injured?

By Matt O'Leary

UNIONDALE, NY - JANUARY 29: Former New York Islandes Mike Bossy waves to the crowd prior to the game duing Mike Bossy tribute Night at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on January 29, 2015 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NY - JANUARY 29: Former New York Islandes Mike Bossy waves to the crowd prior to the game duing Mike Bossy tribute Night at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on January 29, 2015 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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Today, playing the what-if game, we’re going to take a look at what if Mike Bossy never got hurt and finished his career with the New York Islanders.

In many people’s eyes, Mike Bossy is the best player to ever wear the New York Islanders jersey. The unfortunate thing with Bossy, was that his career came to a stop at age 30 due to injuries so we never got to see the “full career”.

In 10 seasons, Bossy played in 752 games and put up 573 goals with 1,126 career points. Those stats pop off the page even for someone who played a full career into their late 30’s but for Bossy it leaves you wondering what could’ve been.

I recently tried to project the rest of Rick DiPietro’s career using the help of video games, so today I’m going to attempt the same thing with Mike Bossy, except we’re using math.

Now, if you’ve listened to the podcast, I’m sure you’re aware that Mitch and I are terrible at math so I’m using the help of an HF Boards Forum user.

According to this user, the average number of games played for top-20 scorers in NHL history is 1,420. So we’re going to use that benchmark for Bossy to play out the rest of his career.

Over 10 seasons, he averaged a 2.51% declination in points and a 2.32 % declination in goals a season. Keeping both of those things in mind, here’s what the final nine years of his career could’ve been for Bossy:

That would put his career total at 929 goals, 906 assists, 1834 points In 1,420 games played over a then, 19-year career. Considering that Wayne Gretzky is the current leader in goal in NHL history with 894, Bossy would’ve been considered the best goal scorer of all-time.

His 1,834 points would be good enough for fifth all-time only trailing Wayne Gretzky, Jaromir Jagr, Mark Messier, and Gordie Howe. Without question, Bossy would have to be considered a Mount Rushmore NHL player.

Gretzky would still likely be considered the GOAT, and for good reason, but Bossy would easily be in the top-five players to ever lace up the skates.

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According to this Hockey News article, Bossy ranks as the 34th best NHLer of all-time. To think what nine more years could’ve done for his career.

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