Butch Goring trade wasn’t flashy—but it made the Islanders a dynasty

Beginning in the 1974-75 season, the New York Islanders would make the playoffs five straight seasons and in four of those years would come up just short of reaching the Stanley Cup Final. There was no question that the Islanders were an incredible team but just couldn't get over the final hurdle.

That all changed during the 1979-80 season when the Islanders made a trade before the trade deadline with the Los Angeles Kings for center Butch Goring. The trade with the Kings included Billy Harris and Dave Lewis going to Los Angeles in return for Goring.

At the time, Goring was a good player, and he would help the Islanders, but no one knew just how much of a difference he would make.

Butch Goring brought a different element to the New York Islanders that they were desperately missing

In the four seasons prior to the trade, Goring was a proven goal scorer and had at least 30 goals each of those seasons. He would also win the Lady Byng Trophy during the 1977-78 season.

He was not the biggest player but any lack of size he made up with incredible speed that could put the opposing team on their heels.

In terms of production, his regular-season output declined, as he had more than 50 points only once in six seasons with the Islanders. However, the playoffs were a different story, and in the four Stanley Cup seasons, he averaged about 0.80 points per game.

Goring also would win the Conn Smythe Trophy for his performance in the 1981 Stanley Cup Final as he had seven points in five games. He would also have a hat trick in Game 3 when the Islanders would win by a final score of 7-5.

The Islanders had a great core, featuring players like Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, and goalie Billy Smith. However, it was the trade for Butch Goring that brought everything together, creating a dynasty that remains one of the greatest to this day.