Ranking the NY Islanders Ten Top-10 Draft Picks of the 1990's

6. Mike Rupp (9th Overall, 1998)

The story of Mike Rupp being drafted by the Islanders can leave you saying, "That would only happen to the Islanders." Rupp was never a big point producer leading up to the 1998 draft, but the Isles selected him ninth overall nonetheless.

Rupp remained unsigned while continuing his junior career, electing to re-enter the draft rather than sign with the Islanders. He was taken 76th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2000 NHL Draft, never even seeing the practice rink on Long Island. Rupp appeared in 610 games over 14 NHL seasons and scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal for the Devils in 2003.

5. JP Dumont (3rd Overall, 1996)

Another high draft choice for the Islanders and another player to never suit up for them. JP Dumont was drafted out of Val-d'Or of the QMJHL, racking up 105 points during his draft-eligible season. Dumont elected to return to Val-d'Or for two more seasons playing out the remainder of his eligibility, still without a contract from the Islanders. Islanders GM Mike Millbury was unwilling to meet Dumont's contract demands as the team was down to their last day to sign the third overall pick before he'd re-enter the draft. The two sides came to terms on a three-year $2.6M contract before shipping him off to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Dmitri Nabokov.

Dumont never became the player he was in juniors but managed 523 points over 822 games. His best season came with the Nashville Predators in 2007-08, accruing 72 points (29 goals, 43 assists)

Found JP Dumont in an old Islanders program from when I was a kid. pic.twitter.com/p7Q7ADNEPN
— Fang Fingers by So Nashville (@FangFingersTN) March 2, 2013

4. Tim Connolly (5th Overall, 1999)

As the player sent with Pyatt to Buffalo in a deal that returned Peca to the Islanders, Tim Connolly spent two seasons on Long Island, scoring 24 goals with 51 helpers while missing just one game.

During Connolly's third season with Buffalo, injuries began to plague his career. The once scintillating playmaker was consistently hurt, facing constant bouts with concussion-related issues. Following the 2012 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Connolly was sent down the minors, appearing in just 28 games with the Toronto Marlies before calling it a career and retiring at 31.

Connolly managed 432 points (131 goals, 300 assists) in 697 games, during a promising career derailed by injuries.