Editing New York Islanders

{{short description|National Hockey League team in Elmont, New York}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox NHL team
| team_name = New York Islanders
| current = 2024–25 New York Islanders season
| bg_color = background:#FFFFFF !important; border-top:#00468B 5px solid !important; border-bottom:#F26924 5px solid !important;
| text_color = #000000
| logo_image = Logo New York Islanders.svg
| logo_alt = Inside a blue circle, with orange and white borders, the letters "NY" are joined together with the "Y" hockey stick facing downwards, next to a hockey puck. Behind the image, a map of Nassau and Suffolk counties joined together. At the bottom, the teams' name wrapping around in Orange with the tip of the "I" in blue, pointing towards Uniondale in Nassau County.
| conference = [[Eastern Conference (NHL)|Eastern]]
| division = [[Metropolitan Division|Metropolitan]]
| founded = 1972
| history = '''New York Islanders'''<br />[[1972–73 NHL season|1972]]–present
| arena = '''[[UBS Arena]]'''
| city = [[Elmont, New York]]
| team_colors = Blue, orange, white<ref>{{cite news|last=Kulesa|first=Anna|title=Empire State Building lit up in Islanders colors to honor 50th season|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/empire-state-building-lit-up-in-new-york-islanders-colors-to-honor-50t-336338276|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L.P.|website=NHL.com|date=October 13, 2022|access-date=November 21, 2023|quote=The New York Islanders got a shoutout from the World's Most Famous Building on Thursday. The Empire State Building lit up in blue and orange to celebrate the Islanders' 50th anniversary ahead of their season opener against the Florida Panthers at UBS Arena.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=New York Islanders PR|title=New York Islanders AHL Affiliate Renamed Bridgeport Islanders|url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/new-york-islanders-ahl-affiliate-renamed-bridgeport-islanders-324528366|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L.P.|website=NewYorkIslanders.com|date=May 10, 2021|access-date=May 11, 2021|quote=The new Bridgeport Islanders logo features an iconic mark for the team's future. The strong letter "B" recognizes the great city of Bridgeport. The stick, which forms the letter "B" has the parent Islanders "NY" logo as the tape on the blade, a subtle nod to the affiliation between the two clubs. The iconic Islanders blue and orange colors remain the same.}}</ref><br />{{color box|#00468B}} {{color box|#F26924}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}}
| uniform_image = ECM-Uniform-NYI.PNG
| uniform_image_size = 225px
| media_affiliates = {{ubl|[[MSG Sportsnet]]|[[WEPN-FM]]|[[WRHU]]|[[Audacy]]|[[WRCN-FM]]}}
| owner = New York Islanders Hockey Club, L.P. ([[Scott D. Malkin]], governor)<ref>{{cite web|title=Business Directory|url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/team/business-directory|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L.P.|website=NewYorkIslanders.com|access-date=May 11, 2021}}</ref>
| general_manager = ''Vacant''
| head_coach = [[Patrick Roy]]
| captain = [[Anders Lee]]
| minor_league_affiliates = [[Bridgeport Islanders]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]])<br />[[Worcester Railers]] ([[ECHL]])
| stanley_cups = '''4''' ([[1980 Stanley Cup Finals|1979–80]], [[1981 Stanley Cup Finals|1980–81]], [[1982 Stanley Cup Finals|1981–82]], [[1983 Stanley Cup Finals|1982–83]])
| conf_titles = '''6''' ([[1977–78 NHL season|1977–78]], [[1978–79 NHL season|1978–79]], [[1980–81 NHL season|1980–81]], [[1981–82 NHL season|1981–82]], [[1982–83 NHL season|1982–83]], [[1983–84 NHL season|1983–84]]){{notetag|*Regular season conference champion ([[1977–78 NHL season|1977–78]], [[1978–79 NHL season|1978–79]], [[1980–81 NHL season|1980–81]])<br />*Conference champion in playoffs ([[1981–82 NHL season|1981–82]], [[1982–83 NHL season|1982–83]], [[1983–84 NHL season|1983–84]])}}
| presidents'_trophies = '''0'''{{notetag|The [[Presidents' Trophy]] was not introduced until [[1985–86 NHL season|1985–86]]. Had the trophy existed since league inception, the Islanders franchise would have won three Presidents' Trophies. The winning seasons would have been [[1978–79 NHL season|1978–79]], [[1980–81 NHL season|1980–81]], and [[1981–82 NHL season|1981–82]].}}
| division_titles = '''6''' ([[1977–78 NHL season|1977–78]], [[1978–79 NHL season|1978–79]], [[1980–81 NHL season|1980–81]], [[1981–82 NHL season|1981–82]], [[1983–84 NHL season|1983–84]], [[1987–88 NHL season|1987–88]])
| website = {{URL|nhl.com/islanders}}
}}
The '''New York Islanders''' (colloquially known as the '''Isles''') are a professional [[ice hockey]] team based in [[Elmont, New York]]. The Islanders compete in the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) as a member of the [[Metropolitan Division]] in the [[Eastern Conference (NHL)|Eastern Conference]]. The team plays its home games at [[UBS Arena]]. The Islanders are one of three NHL franchises in the [[New York metropolitan area]], along with the [[New Jersey Devils]] and [[New York Rangers]], and their fanbase resides primarily on [[Long Island]].

The team was founded in [[1972–73 NHL season|1972]] as part of the NHL's maneuvers to keep a team from rival league [[World Hockey Association]] (WHA) out of the newly built [[Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum]] in suburban [[Uniondale, New York]]. After two years of building up the team's roster, they found almost instant success by securing 14 straight playoff berths starting with their third season. The Islanders won four consecutive [[Stanley Cup]] championships between [[1980 Stanley Cup Finals|1980]] and [[1983 Stanley Cup Finals|1983]], the eighth of nine [[dynasty (sports)|dynasties]] recognized by the NHL in its history. Their 19 consecutive playoff series wins between 1980 and 1984 is a feat that remains unparalleled in the history of professional sports. They are the last team in any major professional North American sport to win four consecutive championships, and to date the last NHL team to achieve a [[three-peat]].

Following the team's dynasty era, the franchise ran into problems with money, ownership and management, an aging arena, and low attendance. Their woes were reflected on the ice, as the team has not won a division title since [[1987–88 NHL season|1987–88]], and went 22 seasons without winning a playoff series prior to the [[2016 Stanley Cup playoffs|2016 playoffs]]. After years of failed attempts to rebuild or replace Nassau Coliseum in suburban Long Island, the Islanders relocated to [[Barclays Center]] in Brooklyn following the [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15 season]].<ref name="IslandersBrooklyn2015" /> In the [[2018–19 NHL season|2018–19]] and [[2019–20 NHL season|2019–20]] seasons, the Islanders split their home games between Barclays Center and Nassau Coliseum. The Islanders played all their home games in the [[2020–21 NHL season|2020–21 season]] at Nassau Coliseum. Their [[UBS Arena|new arena]] near [[Belmont Park]] was opened in 2021.

Ten former members of the Islanders have been inducted into the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]], seven of whom—[[Mike Bossy]], [[Clark Gillies]], [[Denis Potvin]], [[Billy Smith (ice hockey)|Billy Smith]], [[Bryan Trottier]], coach [[Al Arbour]], and general manager [[Bill Torrey]]—were members of all four Cup-winning teams. Post-dynasty players [[Pat LaFontaine]], [[Roberto Luongo]] and [[Pierre Turgeon]] were also inducted.

{{TOC limit|limit=1}}

==History==

===The NHL heads to Long Island (1972–1974)===
In fall 1972, the emerging [[World Hockey Association]] (WHA) planned to place its New York team, the [[New York Golden Blades|New York Raiders]], in [[Nassau County, New York|Nassau County]]'s brand-new [[Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum]].<ref name="IslesRangers">{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/rangers-islanders-rivalry-article-1.1601683|title=Rangers vs. Islanders: The Rivalry|last=Ng|first=Rob|work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date=January 29, 2014|access-date=January 18, 2015}}</ref> County officials did not consider the WHA a major league and wanted to keep the Raiders out.<ref name="Raiders">{{cite web|url=http://www.whahockey.com/raiders.html|title=New York Raiders|work=World Hockey Associations|access-date=January 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419111503/http://www.whahockey.com/raiders.html|archive-date=April 19, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[William Shea]], who had helped bring [[Major League Baseball]]'s [[New York Mets]] to the area a decade earlier, was enlisted to bring an NHL team to Long Island. Although Shea had previously worked with upstart rival leagues including the aborted [[Continental League]], the [[American Football League]] and the [[American Basketball Association]], his ultimate goal in these efforts had always been to try to persuade the established leagues to grant second franchises to New York as had been the case with the Mets (and also with the [[New York Jets]] and [[New York Nets]], as a result of those teams' leagues merging with their established rivals).

[[File:William Shea.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[William Shea]] played a major role in bringing a hockey team to Long Island.]]
In contrast, Shea decided there was no need to work with the WHA since unlike the initial results of his previous approaches to established leagues in the other major sports, Shea immediately found NHL president [[Clarence Campbell]] to be receptive to adding a second team in New York. Nevertheless, the Islanders' bid faced opposition from the [[New York Rangers]], who did not want additional competition in the New York area.<ref name="NCBook">{{cite book|last=Hirshon|first=Nicholas|title=Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jz1EZBzMy5sC|access-date=January 18, 2015|year=2010|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-0-7385-7357-1}}</ref> Eventually, Campbell and Shea persuaded the Rangers' owners, [[Madison Square Garden]], to reconsider. Rangers' president [[William M. Jennings|Bill Jennings]] weighed pros and cons. Another local NHL team would be compelled to compensate the Rangers for sharing the New York area. On the other hand, a WHA team would owe the Rangers nothing unless it was included in a potential NHL–WHA merger, a prospect to which both Campbell and Jennings were adamantly opposed. Finally, consenting to the establishment of an NHL franchise in suburban Nassau County would help to ensure the vast majority of the Rangers' fanbase within New York City proper would continue to support the older franchise, and reduced the prospect of a rival league eventually establishing a team and fanbase there. Perhaps remembering the crucial role the Jets had played in ensuring the success of the AFL just a few years earlier as a challenger of the [[National Football League]], Jennings decided to help bring a new NHL team to the New York metropolitan area.<ref name="BOAD">{{cite book|last1=Hahn|first1=Alan|last2=Nystrom|first2=Bob|title=Birth of a Dynasty: The 1980 New York Islanders|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=no8-Q-ZE1z0C|access-date=January 18, 2015|year=2004|publisher=Sports Publishing LLC|isbn=1582613338}}</ref>

Despite expanding to 14 teams just two years prior, the NHL awarded a [[Long Island]]-based franchise to clothing manufacturer [[Roy Boe]], owner of the [[American Basketball Association]]'s [[New York Nets]], on November 8, 1971.<ref name="BOAD"/> The terms included $6&nbsp;million (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|6|1972|r=2}}}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}) franchise fee plus a $5&nbsp;million (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|5|1972|r=2}}}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}) territorial fee to the Rangers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=19770302&id=yztOAAAAIBAJ&pg=4429,313906|title=Franchise fees reduced|date=March 2, 1977|agency=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=May 9, 2014}}</ref> An expansion franchise was also given to [[Atlanta]] (the [[Atlanta Flames|Flames]]) to keep the schedule balanced and to prevent the WHA from entering the growing market at the newly built [[Omni Coliseum]].<ref name="NCBook"/>

The New York Islanders name was unveiled by the franchise on February 15, 1972, at a [[press conference]] held across the street from [[Roosevelt Raceway]] at a restaurant owned by [[Burt Bacharach]].<ref name="genyt720216w">{{cite web |last1=Eskenazi |first1=Gerald |title=L.I. Hockey Club Hires Ex-Oakland Aide |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/02/16/archives/li-hockey-club-hires-exoakland-aide.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=February 9, 2023 |date=February 16, 1972}}</ref> Many expected it to use the "[[Long Island Ducks (ice hockey)|Long Island Ducks]]", after the [[Eastern Hockey League]] team that played from 1959 to 1973.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-team-nickname-origins-explained/c-283976168?tid=277548856|title=NHL team nicknames explained|publisher=National Hockey League}}</ref> The team was soon nicknamed the "Isles" by the local newspapers. The Islanders' arrival effectively doomed the Raiders, who played in Madison Square Garden under difficult lease terms and were forced to move to [[Cherry Hill, New Jersey]] in the middle of their second season.<ref name="Raiders"/>

Former [[California Golden Seals]] executive vice president [[Bill Torrey]] was named as the team's general manager at the same press conference as the franchise's name unveiling.<ref name="genyt720216w"/> The Islanders secured veteran forward [[Ed Westfall]], defenseman [[Gerry Hart]], and goaltender [[Billy Smith (ice hockey)|Billy Smith]] in the [[1972 NHL expansion draft|1972 expansion draft]], along with [[junior ice hockey]] stars [[Billy Harris (ice hockey, born 1952)|Billy Harris]], [[Lorne Henning]], and [[Bobby Nystrom]] in the [[1972 NHL amateur draft|1972 amateur draft]].<ref name="AaronBook">{{cite book|last=Frisch|first=Aaron|title=The History of the New York Islanders|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GohkyTSxuEEC&q=new+york+islanders+history|access-date=January 18, 2015|year=2004|publisher=[[Creative Education Foundation]]|isbn=1-58341-276-X}}</ref> Soon after the draft, [[Phil Goyette]] was named as the team's first head coach, however he was fired halfway through the season and replaced with [[Earl Ingarfield Sr.|Earl Ingarfield]] and assistant coach [[Aut Erickson]].<ref name="Newsday">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/the-ultimate-new-york-islanders-timeline-1.9473444|title=The ultimate New York Islanders timeline|date=October 11, 2014|work=[[Newsday]]|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref> Unlike most other expansion teams' general managers, Torrey made few trades for veteran players in the early years, as he was committed to building the team through the draft. Torrey stated, "I told the owners that we're not going to beat this team next door by taking the castoffs from others teams. We'd have to develop our own stars."<ref name="AaronBook"/> Before the season began, Westfall was named the team's first captain.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fischler |first1=Stan |title=Maven's Memories: Ed Westfall Leads Young Isles |url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/mavens-memories-ed-westfall-leads-young-isles/c-299929742 |website=NHL.com |access-date=April 4, 2019 |date=September 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=New York Islanders' Greatest of All-Time |url=https://thehockeywriters.com/the-greatest-all-time-new-york-islanders/ |website=The Hockey Writers |access-date=April 4, 2019 |date=February 4, 2017}}</ref>

By September 1972, the Islanders were waiting for the Nassau Coliseum to be completed as well as their practice facility "The Royal Ice Rink" in [[Kings Park, New York|Kings Park]]. The team was forced to practice as late as October 6, the day before their first game, at the Rangers practice rink in [[New Hyde Park, New York|New Hyde Park]].<ref name="Eskenazi">{{cite web |last1=Eskenazi |first1=Gerald |title=Islanders Make Debut Tonight In L.I. Rink |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/10/07/archives/islanders-make-debut-tonight-in-li-rink-rangers-at-wings.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=April 30, 2020 |date=October 7, 1972}}</ref>

The Islanders' first win came on October 12, 1972, in a 3–2 game against the [[Los Angeles Kings]].<ref name="Newsday"/> In the team's first season, young players such as Smith, Nystrom, and Henning (all of whom would be part of the Islanders dynasty of the early 1980s) were given chances to prove themselves in the NHL. The young and inexperienced expansion team, however, posted a record of 12–60–6, setting an NHL record for most losses and worst overall record in a season.<ref name="AaronBook"/><ref name="Potvin2014">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/islander-legend-denis-potvin-impressed-with-gm-garth-snow-s-moves-1.9659501|title=Islanders legend Denis Potvin impressed with GM Garth Snow's moves|last=Herrmann|first=Mark|date=November 27, 2014|access-date=January 18, 2015|work=[[Newsday]]}}</ref> A highlight occurred on January 18, 1973, when they defeated the defending [[Stanley Cup]] champion [[Boston Bruins]] 9–7.<ref name="Newsday"/>

Finishing last in the standings that season, they received the right to select first in the [[1973 NHL amateur draft|1973 draft]].<ref name="Potvin2014"/> Off the ice, the Islanders struggled financially, a situation that was exacerbated by the then-unprecedented $11 million in franchise and territorial fees. [[Montreal Canadiens]]' general manager [[Sam Pollock]] was keen to acquire the Islanders' pick so he could draft French Canadian junior star defenseman [[Denis Potvin]], who had been touted as "the next [[Bobby Orr]]" when he was 14 years old. Pollock made several lucrative trade offers including cash to the Islanders, but Torrey turned the Canadiens down and selected Potvin with the first overall pick.<ref name="BOAD"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1985-11-20/sports/8502210882_1_islanders-denis-potvin-stanley-cups|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118235351/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1985-11-20/sports/8502210882_1_islanders-denis-potvin-stanley-cups|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 18, 2015|title=Hot Soul on Ice Defenseman Potvin Settles Down And Finds No Man Is The Islanders|last=Finn|first=David|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 20, 1985|access-date=January 18, 2015}}</ref> During the off-season, Torrey convinced former [[St. Louis Blues]] coach [[Al Arbour]] to come coach the Islanders.<ref name="BOAD"/> Even with Arbour as the team's head coach and Potvin, who won the [[Calder Memorial Trophy]] as NHL Rookie of the Year, the team again finished last in the [[East Division (NHL)|East Division]] during the [[1973–74 NHL season|1973–74 season]], but allowed 100 fewer goals than the previous season. The season included their first win against the Rangers, on October 27, 1973,<ref name="IslesRangers"/> which also happened to be the game where Potvin scored his first NHL goal. Although they failed to make the playoffs, their 56 points represented a 26-point improvement from the previous season.<ref name="BOAD"/>

===Ascendancy and playoff inability (1974–1979)===
[[File:Denis Potvin.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Denis Potvin]] led the Islanders to playoff success in the 1970s and 1980s.]]
With the 4th and 22nd picks in the [[1974 NHL amateur draft|1974 draft]], the Islanders added young forwards [[Clark Gillies]] and [[Bryan Trottier]] to continue Torrey's building plan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://islanders.nhl.com/club/draftstats.htm?year=1974&round=All&team=NYI&supl=N|title=1974 Draft Picks|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=January 18, 2015}}</ref> In the [[1974–75 NHL season|1974–75 season]], the Islanders made one of the biggest turnarounds in NHL history. Led by Potvin, forwards Westfall, Harris, Nystrom, Gillies, and goaltenders Smith and [[Chico Resch|Glenn "Chico" Resch]], the team earned 88 points, 32 more than the previous season and two more than their first two seasons combined, earning their first playoff berth. They defeated the rival [[New York Rangers]] in a best-of-3 first-round series as [[J. P. Parisé|J. P. Parise]] scored just 11 seconds into overtime of the third game.<ref name="BOAD"/> In the next round, down three games to none in a best-of-seven series against the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]], the Islanders rallied to win the next four and take the series-winning game 7 on a late third-period goal by Westfall. Only four other major North American professional sports teams have accomplished this feat (the [[1941–42 Toronto Maple Leafs season|1941–42 Toronto Maple Leafs]], [[2004 Boston Red Sox season|2004 Boston Red Sox]], the [[2009–10 Philadelphia Flyers season|2009–10 Philadelphia Flyers]], and the [[2013–14 Los Angeles Kings season|2013–14 Los Angeles Kings]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/11/sports/hockey/the-3-0-playoff-hole-the-rangers-inhabit-only-5-of-320-teams-have-overcome-it.html|title=3-0 Hole Rangers Inhabit? Only 5 of 320 Teams Have Overcome It|last=Klein|first=Jeff Z|date=June 10, 2014|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=January 18, 2015}}</ref> They were close but not as lucky in the following round, rallying from another 3–0 deficit to force a seventh game against the defending [[Stanley Cup]] champion [[Philadelphia Flyers]] before the Flyers took the decisive seventh game at home and went on to win the Cup again.<ref name="BOAD"/> Despite a disappointing playoff finish, Arbour remained complimentary of the team's attitude and maturity, saying "If I called a practice next week, every one of them would show up."<ref name="IslesHistory">{{cite web|url=http://islanders.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=43593|title=Key Islanders Dates|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref>

The Islanders continued their climb up the standings in [[1975–76 NHL season|1975–76]], earning 101 points and the fifth-best record in the league.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?season=19751976&type=LEA|title=1975-1976 League Standings|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=January 20, 2015}}</ref> It was the first 100-point season in Islanders history, in only their fourth year of existence.<ref name="Seasons">{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/NYI/|title=New York Islanders Franchise Index|work=Hockey Reference|access-date=January 20, 2015}}</ref> Rookie center Trottier finished the season with 95 points and won the [[Calder Memorial Trophy]]; his points and assists (63) totals set a new league record for most in each category by a rookie.<ref>{{cite book|last=Frostino|first=Nino|title=Right on the Numbers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S0j_0-Kg2AAC|access-date=January 21, 2014|year=2004|publisher=[[Trafford Publishing]]|isbn=1-4120-3305-5}}</ref> It would be the first of four consecutive 100-point seasons, including the first two division titles in franchise history.<ref name="Seasons"/><ref name="Awards">{{cite web|url=http://islanders.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=43590|title=New York Islanders Awards and Honors|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=January 20, 2015}}</ref> Despite the emergence of young star players and regular season success between 1976 and 1979 the Islanders suffered a series of playoff disappointments. In [[1976 Stanley Cup playoffs|1976]] and [[1977 Stanley Cup playoffs]], the Islanders were knocked out in the semifinals by the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the [[Montreal Canadiens]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=nyislnderspost|title=New York Islanders playoff history|date=April 20, 2007|work=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|access-date=January 20, 2015|archive-date=January 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120083845/http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=nyislnderspost|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Canadiens posted a 24–3 record in the playoffs during those two seasons with all three losses coming at the hands of the Islanders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=montrealpost|title=Montreal Canadiens playoff history|date=April 22, 2009|work=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|access-date=January 20, 2015|archive-date=January 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120083255/http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=montrealpost|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Mike Bossy 1978 (2).JPG|thumb|upright|[[Mike Bossy]] was selected with the 15th overall pick in [[1977 NHL amateur draft|1977]] and became the third Islander to win the [[Calder Memorial Trophy]].]]
In the [[1977 NHL amateur draft|1977 draft]], Torrey had the 15th overall pick and was deciding between forwards [[Mike Bossy]] and [[Dwight Foster (ice hockey)|Dwight Foster]]. Bossy was known as an emerging scorer who lacked physicality. Foster was known as a solid [[Checking (ice hockey)|checker]] with marginal offensive ability (despite having led the [[Ontario Hockey League]] in scoring). Arbour persuaded Torrey to pick Bossy, arguing it was easier to teach a scorer how to check.<ref name="TheRoad">{{cite book|last1=Devellano|first1=Jim|last2=Lajoie|first2=Roger|title=The Road to Hockeytown: Jimmy Devellano's Forty Years in the NHL|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0SAfvik_TR0C|access-date=January 20, 2015|date=March 12, 2010|publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]]|isbn=978-0-470-15552-3}}</ref><ref name="Champions">{{cite book |title=Champions: The Illustrated History of Hockey's Greatest Dynasties |last=Hunter |first=Douglas |year=1997 |publisher=Triumph Books |location=[[Chicago]] |isbn=1-57243-213-6}}</ref> In the [[1977–78 NHL season|1977–78 season]], Bossy became the third Islander to win the Calder Trophy, and scored 53 goals that season, a rookie record at the time.<ref name="BOAD"/> The team earned their first Patrick Division and Campbell Conference championships.<ref name="Newsday"/> Six players finished the season with 30 goals scored or more, with five of them Islanders draft picks, showing the success of the draft building process.<ref name="BOAD"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000521977.html|title=New York Islanders 1976-77 roster and scoring statistics|work=Internet Hockey Database|access-date=January 20, 2015}}</ref> The season ended with a familiar result in the [[1977–78 NHL season#Playoffs|playoffs]], as the team lost in overtime in game 7 of the quarterfinals against the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]].<ref name="TheRoad"/>

In [[1978–79 NHL season|1978–79]], the team finished with the best record in the NHL, clinching it with three goals in the third period of the season's final game against the Rangers. Trottier won the [[Hart Memorial Trophy]] as league MVP and captured the [[Art Ross Trophy]] for the most points, while sophomore Bossy scored 69 goals, which also led the league. Despite their regular season dominance, the Islanders exited the playoffs with another upset playoff loss, this time to the Rangers in the semifinals. As the team was leaving [[Madison Square Garden]] following their game 6 elimination, Rangers fans rocked and threw objects at the team's bus. Hockey professionals and journalists generally questioned whether the Islanders were capable of winning the important games needed to win a Stanley Cup championship. Islander players would cite fear of repeating the pain of this loss as spurring their later success. After transferring the captaincy to Gillies the season before, Westfall retired and shortly thereafter became a color commentator on the team's telecasts.

Off the ice, the Islanders were on shaky ground. Boe was losing money on both his franchises, even as the Islanders quickly surged to NHL prominence and the Nets became an ABA power. The Islanders were still far behind on the $10&nbsp;million they had paid in startup costs, and the expansion and territorial fees associated with moving the Nets to the [[National Basketball Association]] threw Boe's finances into a tailspin. Eventually, Boe was forced to sell both his teams. He readily found a buyer for the Nets, but had less luck finding one for the Islanders. Torrey orchestrated a sale to one of the team's limited partners, [[John Pickett (businessman)|John Pickett]]. In return, Pickett promoted Torrey to team president, though Torrey had already been operating head of the franchise before then. Soon after purchasing the team, Pickett signed a very lucrative [[cable television]] contract with the fledgling [[SportsChannel]] network as their owner, [[Charles Dolan]], thought the up-and-coming Islanders would be a perfect centerpiece for his new network. Dolan gave Pickett a long-term guaranteed contract intended not only to keep the team on Long Island, but give area governments an incentive to renew his cable contracts. The Islanders have remained on the network, now known as [[MSG Sportsnet]], for over four decades.

===The Dynasty (1979–1983)===
After the Islanders' regular season dominance and playoff disappointment in 1979, Arbour decided that he would no longer concern himself too greatly with his team's finish in the regular season. Instead, he focused his team's energy on how they would perform in the playoffs. In [[1979–80 NHL season|1980]], the Islanders dropped below the 100-point mark for the first time in five years, earning only 91 points. However, they finally broke through and won the [[Stanley Cup]].

[[File:ButchGoring.jpg|thumb|upright|Before the [[1980 Stanley Cup playoffs|1980]] playoffs, the Islanders acquired [[Butch Goring]] from the [[Los Angeles Kings]]. Goring's arrival was often called the "final piece of the puzzle."]]
Before the playoffs, Torrey made the difficult decision to trade longtime and popular veterans Billy Harris and defenseman [[Dave Lewis (ice hockey)|Dave Lewis]] to the [[Los Angeles Kings]] for second line center [[Butch Goring]]. Goring's arrival is often called the "final piece of the puzzle",<ref>{{cite book|title=Ice Wars: The Complete Story of New York's Greatest Modern Sports RivalryTime|first=Ian|last=Martin|publisher=AuthorHouse, 2016|location=New York, NY|year=2016|isbn=978-1524617516}}</ref> a strong two-way player, his presence on the second line ensured that opponents would no longer be able to focus their defensive efforts on the Islanders' first line of Bossy, Trottier and [[Clark Gillies]]. Contributions from new teammates, such as wingers [[Duane Sutter]] and [[Anders Kallur]] and [[Stay-at-home defenceman|stay-at-home defensemen]] [[Dave Langevin]], [[Gord Lane]], and [[Ken Morrow]] (the latter fresh off a gold medal win at the [[1980 Winter Olympics|1980 Olympics]]), also figured prominently in the Islanders' playoff success.

In the playoffs, the Islanders defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3–1 in the preliminary round, then beat the Boston Bruins 4–1 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, the Islanders faced the [[Buffalo Sabres]], who had finished second overall in the NHL standings. The Islanders won the first two games in Buffalo, including a 2–1 victory in game two on [[Bob Nystrom]]'s goal in double overtime. They went on to win the series in six games and reach the finals for the first time in franchise history, where they would face the NHL's regular season champions, the [[Philadelphia Flyers]], who had gone undefeated for 35 straight games (25–0–10) during the regular season. In game one in [[Philadelphia]], the Islanders won 4–3 on [[Denis Potvin]]'s power-play goal in overtime. Leading the series 3–2, they went home to Long Island for game six. In that game the Islanders blew a 4–2 lead in the third period but Nystrom continued his overtime heroics, scoring at 7:11 of the extra frame, on assists by John Tonelli and Lorne Henning, to bring Long Island its first Stanley Cup championship. This was the most recent Stanley Cup-clinching game won in overtime by the home team until the Los Angeles Kings did it in 2014. It was also the Islanders' sixth overtime victory of the playoffs. Bryan Trottier won the [[Conn Smythe Trophy]] as the most valuable player in the playoffs. Torrey's strategy of building through the draft turned out very well; nearly all of the major contributors on the 1980 champions were home-grown Islanders or had spent most of their NHL careers in the Islanders organization. The Islanders were the first NHL team to win the Stanley Cup with Europeans ([[Stefan Persson (ice hockey)|Stefan Persson]] and Kallur) on its roster.<ref>{{cite book|title=IIHF Top 100 Hockey Stories of All Time|first1=Szymon|last1=Szemberg|first2=Andrew|last2=Podnieks|page=74|publisher=Fenn Publishing|location=Bolton, Ontario, Canada|year=2008|isbn=978-1-55168-358-4|author-link2=Andrew Podnieks}}</ref>

The Islanders dominated the next two seasons. Bossy scored [[50 goals in 50 games]] in [[1980–81 NHL season|1981]] and the Islanders lost only three playoff games en route to defeating the [[Minnesota North Stars]] in five games to win the Stanley Cup. Goring won the Conn Smythe Trophy. During their semifinals sweep of the Rangers, Islander fans began taunting the Rangers with a chant of "[[Curse of 1940|1940!]]"&nbsp;– referring to the Rangers' last Stanley Cup win in {{scfy|1940}} (the Rangers would not win the cup again until [[1994 Stanley Cup Finals|1994]]). Fans in other NHL cities soon picked up the chant.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Murphy|first=Austin|date=June 13, 1994|title=Closing In|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1005283/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717181652/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1005283/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 17, 2012}}</ref>

[[File:NYI Stanley Cup banners.JPG|thumb|left|These four banners hung in [[Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum]] and represent the four [[Stanley Cup]] championships the Islanders won from 1980 through 1983.]]
In [[1981–82 NHL season|1981–82]], the Islanders won a then-record 15 straight games en route to a franchise-record 118 points, while [[Mike Bossy]] set a scoring record for right-wingers with 147 points in an 80-game schedule. The Islanders finished with the most points in the league (118), yet once in the playoffs against the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] they found themselves down late in the third period of deciding game 5 before [[John Tonelli]] scored both the tying goal and the overtime winner. After defeating the Rangers in six games they swept both the [[Quebec Nordiques]] and the [[Vancouver Canucks]] in the first-ever coast-to-coast [[1982 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]] for their third straight championship. During that series Bossy, upended by a check from [[Tiger Williams]] and falling parallel to the ice, managed to hook the puck with his stick and score. Bossy netted the Stanley Cup-winning goal and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy.

The next year, although the Islanders had won the Stanley Cup three straight times, more attention was being paid to the upstart [[Edmonton Oilers]], whose young superstar [[Wayne Gretzky]] had just shattered existing scoring records.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/magazine/where.bossy/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050709234538/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/magazine/where.bossy/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 9, 2005|title=Mike Bossy|last=Farber|first=Michael|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|access-date=July 19, 2009}}</ref> In [[1982–83 NHL season|1982–83]] the Oilers had a better regular season, but the Islanders swept them in the [[1983 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]] to win their fourth straight championship. [[Billy Smith (ice hockey)|Billy Smith]] was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner after shutting down the Oilers' vaunted scoring machine. Gretzky failed to score a goal during the series.<ref name="Collide">{{cite web|url=http://www.greatesthockeylegends.com/2008/05/1983-islanders-and-oilers-collide.html|title=1983: Islanders and Oilers Collide|last=Pelletier|first=Joe|date=May 21, 2008|work=Greatest Hockey Legends.com|access-date=July 19, 2009}}</ref> Duane and [[Brent Sutter]] scored seven and five points respectively in the first three games, while Bossy again scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in game four. After that game, the Oilers players walked past the Islanders' dressing room and were surprised to see the champions exhausted. Oilers players such as Gretzky and [[Mark Messier]] said that they realized at that moment how much it would actually take to win the Stanley Cup.<ref name="Collide" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=424157|title= Messier relates to Penguins in their Cup rematch |last=Rosen|first=Dan|date=May 28, 2009|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=July 19, 2009}}</ref>

===Post-dynasty and the Easter Epic (1983–1991)===
The Islanders finished the [[1983–84 NHL season|1983–84 regular season]] tied atop the Prince of Wales Conference while successfully defending their Patrick Division title. The "Drive for Five" got off to a tense start. Late in the deciding game of their first-round series against the Rangers, [[Don Maloney]] tied the game with a controversial goal as the Islanders believed Maloney's stick was too high. They ultimately eliminated the Rangers for the fourth consecutive year. The team then defeated the [[Washington Capitals]] in five games and the [[Montreal Canadiens]] in six to set up a finals rematch with the Oilers. The series featured rookie [[Pat LaFontaine]] scoring two third-period goals in 38 seconds. This time, the Oilers dethroned the Islanders to win the first of what would be five Stanley Cup victories in seven years. For the [[1983–84 NHL season#Playoffs|1984 playoffs]], the NHL changed the home and away schedule for the finals, which provided the Islanders home-ice advantage in the series based on Wales Conference teams collectively having a winning record in regular season games versus Campbell Conference opponents,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-windsor-star-1984-nhl-playoff-format/49187372|title=Drumming Interest Aim of NHL Scheme|newspaper=The Windsor Star|date=September 23, 1983|p=C-3|access-date=February 3, 2025}}</ref> despite finishing lower than them in the overall standings. The new format had them play three straight games in Edmonton, where the Oilers managed to lock up the series, after the teams had split the first two games in New York. Bossy cited the team's hard time winning an away game as their downfall in the series.<ref>{{cite book|last=Fischler|first=Stan|author2=Chris Botta |title=Pride and Passion: 25 Years of the New York Islanders|pages=158}}</ref> The Oilers also ended the Islanders' 19-series playoff winning streak. It remains the longest streak in the history of professional sports (one more than the 1959–1967 streak by the [[Boston Celtics]] of the NBA). Unlike the 1976–1979 Montreal Canadiens, who needed to win three series in the 1976 and 1977 playoffs under the playoff format in place at that time, the Islanders had to win four series in each of their Stanley Cup seasons.

The Islanders remained competitive for the rest of the decade, even as some of the stars from the Cup teams departed. As the decade wore on, Pickett began to keep the money from the team's cable deal rather than reinvest it in the team as he had done in years past. Although it did not become clear immediately, the lack of funds limited Torrey's ability to replace all of the departing talent. In the [[1984–85 NHL season]], the Islanders slipped to third in their division, followed by similar results in the [[1985–86 NHL season|1985–86]] and [[1986–87 NHL season|1986–87]] seasons. They began facing stiff competition from division rivals, the [[Philadelphia Flyers]], who eliminated the Islanders in the division finals in 1985 and 1987, and the Capitals, who swept the Islanders' 1986 first-round series, the team's first exit without winning a playoff round since 1978.

[[File:Kelly Hrudey 2006.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Kelly Hrudey smiling in a pink button-up shirt with a tie on|[[Kelly Hrudey]] (pictured in 2006) saved 73 of 75 shots in the "[[Easter Epic]]" for the Islanders, who came out victorious after four periods of overtime play.]]
In 1986, Nystrom retired due to a serious injury<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/08/19/sports/nystrom-in-line-for-post.html|title=Nystrom in Line for Post|date=August 8, 1986|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=September 27, 2009}}</ref> and [[Clark Gillies]] was picked up on waivers by the [[Buffalo Sabres]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/10/07/sports/islanders-lose-gillies-bourne.html|title=Islanders Lose Gillies, Bourne|last=Wolff|first=Craig|date=October 7, 1986|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=September 27, 2009}}</ref> Arbour retired as coach following the [[1985–86 NHL season|1985–86 season]] and was replaced by longtime junior hockey coach [[Terry Simpson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/19/sports/simpson-is-named-coach-of-islanders.html|title=Simpson is Named Coach of Islanders|last=Finn|first=Robin|date=June 19, 1986|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=September 27, 2009}}</ref> During the first round of the [[1987 Stanley Cup playoffs|1987 playoffs]] against the Capitals, the Islanders had fallen behind in the series three games to one but were not eliminated due to a playoff format change from a best-of-5 series to a best-of-7.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/13/sports/rangers-win-6-3-series-tied-islanders-fall-capitals-4-1-face-elimination.html|title=Rangers Win, 6-3; Series Tied; Islanders Fall to Capitals by 4-1 and Face Elimination|last=Finn|first=Robin|date=April 13, 1987|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=September 27, 2009}}</ref> The Islanders evened the series, which set the stage for one of the most famous games in NHL history: the "[[Easter Epic]]". [[Kelly Hrudey]] stopped 73 shots on goal while Pat LaFontaine scored at 8:47 of the fourth overtime—and at 1:56&nbsp;a.m. on [[Easter|Easter Sunday]] morning. The win came even though the Islanders had been outshot 75–52.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/capitals/longterm/1998/stanleycup/history/history.htm#1987|title=After Four Overtimes, Caps Are Left Wanting|last=Boswell|first=Thomas|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=July 19, 2009|date=June 6, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/19/sports/nhl-playoffs-islaners-capitals-in-third-overtime.html|title=NHL Playoffs; Islanders, Capitals in Third Overtime|last=Finn|first=Robin|date=April 19, 1987|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=September 27, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/20/sports/the-seventh-the-eight-and-the-deciding-game.html|title=The Seventh, the Eighth, and the Deciding Game|last=Finn|first=Robin|date=April 20, 1987|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=September 27, 2009}}</ref> They were eliminated in the division finals in seven games by the Flyers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/05/03/sports/nhl-playoffs-islanders-are-leveled-by-flyers-5-1.html|title=NHL Playoff; Islanders Are Leveled By Flyers, 5-1|last=Finn|first=Robin|date=May 3, 1987|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=September 27, 2009}}</ref> Chronic back pain forced [[Mike Bossy]] to retire after the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/06/sports/bossy-to-miss-entire-season.html|title=Bossy to Miss Entire Season|last=Finn|first=Robin|date=October 7, 1987|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=September 27, 2009}}</ref>

The [[1987–88 NHL season|following season]], the Islanders captured another division title,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/03/sports/pro-hockey-devils-closing-in-islanders-win-title.html|title=Pro Hockey; Devils Closing In; Islanders Win Title|last=Yannis|first=Alex|date=April 3, 1988|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=September 27, 2009}}</ref> but were defeated in the first round of the playoffs by the upstart [[New Jersey Devils]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/15/sports/meadowlands-magic-devils-eliminate-islanders.html|title=Meadowlands Magic: Devils Eliminate Islanders|last=Yannis|first=Alex|date=April 15, 1988|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=September 27, 2009}}</ref> Potvin retired after the playoffs, holding records for most career goals (310), assists (742) and points (1052) by a defenseman, though he has since been passed in these categories by [[Ray Bourque]] and [[Paul Coffey]]. Around this time, the team's run of good luck in the draft began to run out. Of their four top draft picks from 1987 to 1990, they lost one to a freak knee injury and two others never panned out.<ref name="Fischler">{{cite book|title=Cracked Ice: An Insider's Look at the NHL|last=Fischler|first=Stan|author-link=Stan Fischler|year=1999|location=[[Lincolnwood, Illinois]]|isbn=1-57028-219-6|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/crackediceinside0000fisc_c0m0}}</ref>

The [[1988–89 NHL season|1988–89 season]] saw the Islanders win only seven of their first 27 games. Torrey fired Simpson and brought Arbour back. Arbour was unable to turn things around, and the team finished with 61 points, tied with the [[Quebec Nordiques]] for the worst record in the league. It was their first losing season and the first time missing the playoffs since their second season. Smith, the last remaining original Islanders player, retired after the season to become the team's goaltending coach. Not long after the end of the season, Pickett moved to Florida and turned day-to-day operations over to a committee of four Long Island entrepreneurs: Ralph Palleschi, Bob Rosenthal, [[Stephen Walsh (money manager)|Stephen Walsh]], and [[Paul Greenwood (money manager)|Paul Greenwood]]. In return, they each bought a 2.5% interest in the team.<ref name="Fischler"/> In the [[1989–90 NHL season|next season]], the Islanders rebounded to get back into the playoffs, but fell to the Rangers in five games of the opening round. The team bought out the remaining years of [[Bryan Trottier]]'s contract, sending him off with a team record of games played. The [[1990–91 NHL season|1990–91 season]] had the team finish well out of the playoffs after winning only 25 games.

===New faces and the 1993 run (1991–1995)===
LaFontaine was frustrated with the team's lack of success and the progress of his contract negotiations, and held out rather than report to camp before [[1991–92 NHL season|1991–92]]. In response to the holdout, Torrey engineered a rebuilding project with two blockbuster trades on October 25, 1991. He dealt LaFontaine, [[Randy Wood (ice hockey)|Randy Wood]] and [[Randy Hillier (ice hockey)|Randy Hillier]] (along with future considerations) to the [[Buffalo Sabres]] in return for [[Pierre Turgeon]], [[Benoît Hogue|Benoit Hogue]], [[Uwe Krupp]] and [[Dave McLlwain]]. He also sent longtime captain [[Brent Sutter]] and [[Brad Lauer]] to the [[Chicago Blackhawks]] for [[Steve Thomas (ice hockey)|Steve Thomas]] and [[Adam Creighton (ice hockey)|Adam Creighton]]. With these additions and a talented core of players such as [[Derek King]], [[Ray Ferraro]], and [[Patrick Flatley]], along with incoming [[Soviet]] players [[Vladimir Malakhov (ice hockey)|Vladimir Malakhov]] and [[Darius Kasparaitis]], the Islanders had a new foundation in the early 1990s. The management committee, however, was not nearly as patient as Boe and Pickett had been, and forced Torrey to resign after the Islanders missed the playoffs again that season. Assistant general manager [[Don Maloney]] was hired in Torrey's place,<ref name="Fischler"/> while Torrey quickly resurfaced with the expansion [[Florida Panthers]].

In Maloney's first year, [[1992–93 NHL season|1992–93]], the Islanders rebounded to make the playoffs, in the process surpassing the 80-point mark for the first time in five years. The LaFontaine-Turgeon trade proved successful for both the Islanders and Sabres, as both players hit career highs in points and Turgeon won the [[Lady Byng Trophy]].

Ray Ferraro emerged as a playoff hero, scoring a pair of overtime winners in the first-round series against the Capitals. Instead of celebrating after winning game 6 at Nassau Coliseum, however, the Islanders were both irate and despondent. Only seconds after Turgeon, the team's star center and leading scorer, scored an insurance goal in the series-clinching game, [[Dale Hunter]] violently checked him from behind. Turgeon was believed to be out for the entire second round, if not longer, with a separated shoulder. He returned only for spot power-play duty in the last game of the second round. Hunter received a 21-game suspension, at the time the longest for on-ice misconduct in modern NHL history.

The Islanders' next opponent, the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]], were twice-defending Stanley Cup champions and full of stars such as [[Mario Lemieux]], [[Jaromír Jágr|Jaromir Jagr]], and [[Ron Francis]]. The Penguins had roared through the regular season with 119 points, as well as recording a record 17 consecutive wins towards the end of the season, and were overwhelmingly favored to win a third straight championship. Jim Smith of ''[[Newsday]]'' predicted that with Turgeon on the sidelines, the Penguins would sweep the Islanders out of the playoffs, however on the strength of outstanding goaltending from [[Glenn Healy]] and contributions from all four lines, the Islanders achieved a huge upset when [[David Volek]] scored at 5:16 of overtime of the deciding seventh game. ''Newsday'''s front page the day following the win was a picture of Healy with a headline reading, "It's a Miracle!" This was the last playoff series won by the Islanders for 23 years, until the 2015–16 season. Turgeon returned to the Islanders' top line for the conference finals against the [[Montreal Canadiens]], though he was not in peak form as he had not fully recovered. The Islanders bowed out of the playoffs after a hard-fought five games, two of which went to overtime. After beating the Islanders, the Canadiens went on to win the Cup.

Maloney had avoided making many personnel changes his first year, but on the eve of the [[1993 NHL expansion draft|1993 expansion draft]] he traded backup goaltender [[Mark Fitzpatrick]] to the [[Quebec Nordiques]] for [[Ron Hextall]]. The clubs also exchanged first-round picks in the deal. Able to protect only one netminder in the expansion draft, the Islanders left Healy exposed. He was claimed by the [[Mighty Ducks of Anaheim]], then was claimed by the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] in Phase II of the draft the next day, and finally had his rights traded to the Rangers, where he became the backup.

The Islanders barely squeezed past the Panthers to make the 1994 playoffs before being swept in a lopsided opening series by the first-place Rangers, who went on to win the Cup. It would be the Islanders' last playoff appearance until [[2002 Stanley Cup playoffs|2002]]. Arbour retired for good as coach and was succeeded by longtime assistant [[Lorne Henning]]. Hextall, who allowed 16 goals in three games, drew most of the criticism for the failed playoff campaign and was shipped to Philadelphia for [[Tommy Söderström|Tommy Soderstrom]] in September. In the lockout-shortened 1994–95 season, the Islanders not only failed to qualify for the playoffs, they finished ahead of only the third-year [[Ottawa Senators]].

===Management issues (1995–2000)===
By the end of the 1994–95 season, Maloney was under considerable heat from the press and fan base for his handling of the team. Since taking over in 1992, the only noticeable attempt he made to upgrade the roster was the acquisition of Hextall. Near the end of the failed 1995 campaign, Maloney decided that the core of players he had left alone for three seasons needed to be revamped, leading to a rebuilding project. He traded Turgeon and Malakhov to the [[Montreal Canadiens]] for [[Kirk Muller]] and [[Mathieu Schneider]], while Hogue was sent to [[Toronto Maple Leafs|Toronto]] for young goaltender [[Éric Fichaud|Eric Fichaud]]. Additionally, Maloney allowed the team's leading scorer, Ferraro, to depart as an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the season. Fans' displeasure at Maloney for trading the popular Turgeon was magnified when Muller balked at joining a rebuilding team. He played 45 games for the Islanders before being sent to Toronto as well.

Before the [[1995–96 NHL season|1995–96 season]], Maloney fired Henning and named [[Mike Milbury]] head coach. The same year, the Islanders' attempt at updating their look resulted in the unveiling of a new team logo of a slicker-clad fisherman holding a hockey stick. Islanders fans disliked it, and rival Rangers' fans mockingly called the Islanders "[[fishstick]]s"—mocking how the logo resembled the [[Gorton's of Gloucester|Gorton's Fisherman]]. The team reverted to a modified version of the old logo as soon as the league allowed them to do so. (In spite of this, the logo found renewed popularity as a throwback design in the late 2010s and early 2020s, enough so that the team would revive it as their third "Reverse Retro" jersey in 2022 and would use an adjusted version of the logo for their AHL team, the [[Bridgeport Islanders]], beginning in 2024.) The year was a disappointment on the ice as well, as the Islanders finished in last place with a record of 22–50–10. During the season, team management fired Maloney, whom fans blamed for the team's downfall,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/03/sports/hockey-islanders-heard-the-chanting-now-don-maloney-is-gone.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|first=Jason|last=Diamos|title=HOCKEY;Islanders Heard the Chanting, Now Don Maloney Is Gone|date=December 3, 1995}}</ref> and gave Milbury full control of hockey operations as both a coach and general manager. Milbury went on to resign as head coach during the [[1996–97 NHL season|following season]] and elevated assistant [[Rick Bowness]] to the position. After another unsuccessful season with little improvement, Milbury took over as coach again during the [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98 season]]. The team improved to fourth place in their division but again failed to make the playoffs. Milbury followed by once again stepping down as coach during the [[1998–99 NHL season|following season]] while retaining his job as general manager.

During the continued playoff drought, instability in the front office mirrored the Islanders' substandard performance on the ice. Pickett sold the team to [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]] businessman [[John Spano]] in 1996. However, three months after the 1997 closing, Spano had only paid Pickett a fraction of the first installment on the cable rights deal. Several Islanders executives tipped off ''[[Newsday]]'' that something was amiss about their new boss.<ref name="DalOb">{{cite web|last=Mullen|first=Holly|url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/1997-07-31/news/meltdown-man|title=Meltdown man|work=[[Dallas Observer]]|date=July 31, 1997|access-date=February 17, 2015}}</ref> In July, ''Newsday'' exposed Spano as a fraud who did not have the assets required to complete the deal. The investigation showed that Spano had deliberately misled the NHL and the Islanders about his net worth, and also had two lawsuits pending against him. Within days of the report, Spano was forced to relinquish the team to Pickett. Federal prosecutors turned up evidence that Spano had forged many of the documents used to vouch for his wealth and to promise payment to Pickett, and even appeared to have sent many of the documents from his own office in Dallas. He was sentenced to 71 months in prison for bank and wire fraud. The NHL took additional heat when reports surfaced that the league spent well under $1,000 (depending on the source, the league spent either $525<ref name="DalOb"/> or $750<ref name="Fischler"/>) to check Spano's background. It subsequently stiffened the process for vetting future owners. The incident and its aftermath were covered in the [[ESPN]] ''[[30 for 30]]'' documentary, ''Big Shot''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/watch/film/514e7b74-560a-43f6-877f-78c84f28fc8c/big-shot|title=Big Shot – ESPN Films: 30 for 30|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=February 17, 2015}}</ref> Pickett finally found a buyer, a group led by [[Howard Milstein]] and [[Phoenix Coyotes]] co-owner Steven Gluckstern, a deal which almost fell through when [[Spectacor Management Group]], which managed the Coliseum for Nassau County, tried to force Pickett to certify that the Coliseum was safe. Pickett refused, since the Coliseum had fallen into disrepair in recent seasons. SMG backed down under pressure from the Islanders, the NHL, and Nassau County officials.

Initially, the team made numerous trades and increased their payroll in an effort to assemble a better team. In one transaction, young players [[Todd Bertuzzi]] and [[Bryan McCabe]] were traded for veteran [[Trevor Linden]]. After the Islanders finished 12 points short of the playoffs in the 1997–98 season, however, Milstein and Gluckstern decided to run the team on an austere budget in an attempt to make a profit. They also complained about the condition of the Nassau Coliseum and made noises about moving the team elsewhere. They began trading or releasing many popular players to avoid paying their salaries, including star scorer [[Žigmund Pálffy|Zigmund Palffy]], team captain Linden, former rookie of the year [[Bryan Berard]], and rugged defenseman [[Rich Pilon]]. Losing the highly regarded players, the team finished with similar results the next two seasons. Attendance, which had been in a steady decline over the past few years, decreased even further to under 12,000 per game. Around that time, Milstein bid hundreds of millions of dollars in unsuccessful attempts to purchase the [[National Football League]]'s [[Washington Redskins]] and [[Cleveland Browns]].

===New ownership and a return to the playoffs (2000–2006)===
{{Quote box
| quote = Let's face it, the Coliseum is a dump, and the team, well, they're losers. It's a real shame. We want to see it change because this is our home. We all deserve better.
| source = —[[Charles Wang]]<ref name="TeamSold">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/07/nyregion/islanders-unlikely-saviors-wang-kumar-computer-executives-say-love-for-long.html|title=The Islanders' Unlikely Saviors; Wang and Kumar, Computer Executives, Say a Love for Long Island Has Made Them Sports Owners|last=Toy|first=Vivian S.|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 7, 2000|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref>
| width = 30em
| align = right}}
In 2000, Milstein and Gluckstern sold the team to [[Computer Associates]] executives [[Charles Wang]] and [[Sanjay Kumar (business executive)|Sanjay Kumar]]. The sale cost $187.5&nbsp;million (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|187.5|2000|r=2}}}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}) and gave fans hope for the team to turn its lack of success around.<ref name="TeamSold"/> The new owners allowed Milbury to spend money and invest in free agents. His first attempt proved unpopular with fans, as he traded away future star players [[Roberto Luongo]] and [[Olli Jokinen]] to the [[Florida Panthers]] for [[Oleg Kvasha]] and [[Mark Parrish]]. Milbury then further surprised the hockey world when he took [[Rick DiPietro]] with the first selection in the [[2000 NHL entry draft|2000 draft]], ahead of consensus picks [[Dany Heatley]] and [[Marián Gáborík|Marian Gaborik]]. Reporters and fans were alternately confused and enraged by the moves, which Milbury acknowledged, saying, "As dangerous as this may be, we think Mad Mike maybe has something going for him."<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/HockeyNHLDraft00/jun25_isl.html | title = Isles shake up draft | work = SLAM Sports | access-date =September 19, 2006| url-status = usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20030915182051/http://slam.canoe.ca/HockeyNHLDraft00/jun25_isl.html|archive-date=September 15, 2003}}</ref> Establishing a record of controversial decisions, Milbury held onto the "Mad Mike" nickname for years to follow. He remained adamant that his moves were to immediately improve the team, whose poor winning percentage that year was ahead of only the franchise's first season.<ref name="HockeyDB">{{cite web|url=http://hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/teamseasons.php?tid=52|title=New York Islanders season by season stats|work=The Internet Hockey Database|access-date=July 19, 2009}}</ref> The team's uninspired play led Milbury to fire head coach and past player [[Butch Goring]]. Fans vocalized their dislike of Goring taking the fall rather than Milbury, which was further worsened when Milbury passed on hiring [[Ted Nolan]] as Goring's successor; Instead, [[Boston Bruins]] assistant coach [[Peter Laviolette]] was hired.<ref name="LavioletteHired">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/thursday-special-general-electric-laviolette-vows-to-put-charge-into-islanders-1.802479|title=Laviolette vows to put charge into Islanders|last=Price-Brown|first=Laura|work=[[Newsday]]|date=June 20, 2001|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Alexei Yashin edit.png|thumb|left|The Islanders acquired [[Alexei Yashin]] (left) prior to the [[2001–02 NHL season|2001–02 season]]. Yashin would go on to become the team's captain in later years.]]
Three key personnel acquisitions were made prior to the 2001–02 season, Laviolette's first. [[Alexei Yashin]] was acquired from the [[Ottawa Senators]] in exchange for forward [[Bill Muckalt]], defenseman [[Zdeno Chára|Zdeno Chara]] and the Islanders' second overall pick in the [[2001 NHL entry draft|2001 draft]]. Next, Islanders prospects [[Tim Connolly]] and [[Taylor Pyatt]] were traded to the [[Buffalo Sabres]] in exchange for [[Michael Peca]], who became the team's captain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2001/06/25/sabres-grant-pecas-wish-trade-center-to-islanders/|title=Sabres grant Peca's wish, trade center to Islanders|date=June 25, 2001|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=514168|title=Michael Peca retires after 13 NHL seasons|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|date=January 19, 2010|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref> By virtue of finishing with the worst record in the previous season, [[Detroit Red Wings]] goaltender [[Chris Osgood]] was the next addition, taken as the first pick in the September 2001 waiver draft, adding a former Stanley Cup championship goaltender without giving up any players in exchange.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2001-09-29/sports/25313800_1_waiver-draft-evgeny-petrochinin-goalie-chris-osgood|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150118211952/http://articles.philly.com/2001-09-29/sports/25313800_1_waiver-draft-evgeny-petrochinin-goalie-chris-osgood|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 18, 2015|title=Isles take Osgood in waiver draft|date=September 29, 2001|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref> The additions proved to be a great help, as the team opened the season with a 9–0–1–1 record, the best in franchise history. They finished the season with new broken records; their 96 points marked the fourth biggest one-year turnaround in the league's history (44 points higher than the previous season), while Osgood's 66 starts surpassed [[Ron Hextall]]'s previous record of 65.<ref name="IslesHistory"/> During the [[2002 Stanley Cup playoffs]], they were seeded fifth and faced the fourth-seeded [[Toronto Maple Leafs]]. The Islanders lost in a very physical first-round series in seven games; the home team won every game of the series. Notably, game 5 featured [[Gary Roberts (ice hockey)|Gary Roberts]] charging Islander defenseman [[Kenny Jönsson|Kenny Jonsson]], and [[Darcy Tucker]] submarining Peca with a questionable check that tore the Islander captain's [[anterior cruciate ligament]], sidelining both players for the series' final game. The situation between Tucker and Peca caused a bit of outrage, with speculation that Tucker had intended to injure Peca before the game had begun, which Tucker denied.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-apr-28-sp-nhlnotes28-story.html|title=Injury Puts Peca Out of Playoffs|date=April 8, 2002|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref>

Despite the promise shown in the Toronto playoff series, the Islanders had a slow start to the [[2002–03 NHL season|2002–03 season]]. They rebounded to make the playoffs, but lost a five-game series in the first round to the top-seeded [[Ottawa Senators]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=230417014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919095415/http://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=230417014|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 19, 2017|title=Sens win fourth straight to move past Isles|date=April 17, 2003|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref> Milbury continued his controversial move-making by firing Laviolette after the season, citing postseason interviews with the players in which they expressed a lack of confidence in the coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2003-06-04/sports/25446473_1_peter-laviolette-minor-league-coach-martin-brodeur|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709125021/http://articles.philly.com/2003-06-04/sports/25446473_1_peter-laviolette-minor-league-coach-martin-brodeur|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 9, 2015|title=Islanders, sore losers, fire Laviolette He's the seventh coach sent packing in 7 1/2 years. He got N.Y. to the playoffs, but twice they washed out.|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|date=June 4, 2003|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref> He was replaced with [[Steve Stirling]], who had previously been coaching the team's top minor league affiliate, the [[Bridgeport Sound Tigers]]. In the [[2003–04 NHL season|following season]], the Islanders again lost in the first round of the playoffs, this time to the eventual champion [[Tampa Bay Lightning]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=240416020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919052855/http://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=240416020|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 19, 2017|title=St. Louis' fourth playoff goal eliminates Islanders|date=April 16, 2004|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref>

Following the [[2004–05 NHL lockout]], which eliminated that season of play, the Islanders made several player moves to increase offense for [[2005–06 NHL season|following season]]. Peca was traded to the [[Edmonton Oilers]] for center [[Mike York]], freeing up room under the NHL's new salary cap.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockeynews/hockey/player.php?93#|title=Michael Peca Career Transactions|work=[[The Hockey News]]|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref> The same day, the team signed winger [[Miroslav Šatan|Miroslav Satan]] to play alongside Yashin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=14871|title=Miroslav Satan Player Biography|work=Legends of Hockey|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref> Milbury also worked on remaking the team's defense, adding [[Alexei Zhitnik]], [[Brad Lukowich]] and [[Brent Sopel]] to replace the departed [[Adrian Aucoin]] and [[Roman Hamrlík|Roman Hamrlik]], who left as free agents, and Jonsson, who left the NHL to play in the [[HockeyAllsvenskan]] in Sweden.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/02/sports/hockey/02nhl.html?pagewanted=print&_r=0|title=Few Signings on First Day of Free Agency|last=Diamos|first=Jason|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 2, 2005|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref> In the aftermath, Yashin was named as the team's new captain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://islanders.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=463817|date=September 20, 2005|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|title=Alexei Yashin Named Captain}}</ref> The team's inconsistent play led to Stirling's dismissal midway through the season.<ref name="Newsday"/>

===Management shake-ups and the DiPietro contract (2006–2009)===
On the day of Stirling's firing, January 11, 2006, Milbury also announced that he would step down as general manager once a successor was found.<ref name="IslesHistory"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2006/01/12/skidding-islanders-fire-stirling/|title=Skidding Islanders fire Stirling|date=January 12, 2006|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> He served as vice president of Wang's sports properties for one year before resigning in May 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2007/05/29/Milbury-resigns-as-Islanders-senior-VP/10951180480417/|title=Milbury resigns as Islanders senior VP|date=May 29, 2007|work=[[United Press International]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> Wang proceeded by hiring [[Neil Smith (ice hockey)|Neil Smith]] as general manager and [[Ted Nolan]] as head coach, following a brief stint by [[Brad Shaw]] as the team's interim head coach.<ref name="NS">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2522886|title=Goalie Snow to replace Smith as Islanders' GM|date=July 19, 2006|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/09/sports/hockey/09islanders.html|title=Nolan and Smith Are on Board and Aim to Turn Islanders Around|last=Picker|first=David|date=June 9, 2006|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> Smith, however, was fired after approximately one month and quickly replaced by the team's backup goaltender [[Garth Snow]], who retired from his playing career to accept the position.<ref name="IslesHistory"/> Before his dismissal, Smith made several free agent acquisitions, including defensemen [[Brendan Witt]] and [[Tom Poti]], and forwards [[Mike Sillinger]] and [[Chris Simon]].<ref name="NS"/>

On September 12, 2006, the Islanders signed DiPietro to a 15-year, $67.5&nbsp;million (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|67.5|2006|r=2}}}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}) contract, which was believed to be the longest contract to date in the NHL and the second-longest in North American sports, behind a 25-year contract for [[National Basketball Association]] player [[Magic Johnson]].<ref name="DP1">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2584306|title=DiPietro's record 15-year deal will pay him $67.5M|last=Burnside|first=Scott|date=September 13, 2006|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref><ref name="DP2">{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/islanders/2006-09-12-dipietro-15years_x.htm|title=Islanders sign DiPietro to record 15-year deal|last=Allen|first=Kevin|work=[[USA Today]]|date=September 12, 2006|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> DiPietro, Wang and Snow all spoke confidently and felt it was the best move for both sides, despite the mixed reactions it received from the rest of the hockey world. Specifically, Wang stated, "This is not a big deal. You have to have a commitment to who you're working with."<ref name="DP1"/> As speculation began as to whether other teams would follow suit and give lengthy contracts to star players, [[Atlanta Thrashers]]' general manager [[Don Waddell]] felt that, "It's highly unlikely that you will see teams go beyond that. This is a once-in-a-lifetime contract. Ownership must feel very strongly that he's their guy for the next 15 years."<ref name="DP2"/>

[[File:Bill Guerin.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Bill Guerin]] was the team captain from 2007 to 2009.]]
The new-look Islanders were picked by most analysts to languish towards the bottom of the standings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2006-10-03-ten-questions_x.htm|title=NHL preview: 10 questions|date=October 3, 2006|last=Allen|first=Kevin|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> Eyeing a playoff spot, Snow traded for forward [[Ryan Smyth]] from the [[Edmonton Oilers]] at the trade deadline on February 27, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2781777|title=Unable to reach new deal, Oilers trade Smyth to Isles|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=February 28, 2007|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> Injuries to DiPietro provided extra setbacks, but not enough to drop the team from playoff contention.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2802222|title=Minus DiPietro, Dunham expected in goal vs. Panthers|date=March 17, 2007|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2794638|title=Simon suspended minimum of 25 games|date=March 12, 2007|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> They qualified for the playoffs, assisted by a late-season winning streak and a 3–2 shootout victory against the [[New Jersey Devils]] in their final regular season game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/islanders-grab-playoff-spot-with-shootout-win-1.655845|title=Islanders grab playoff spot with shootout win|date=April 8, 2007|access-date=January 15, 2015|work=[[CBC Sports]]}}</ref> Despite DiPietro's return to the team in time for the playoffs, the team lost their first round matchup in five games to the [[Presidents' Trophy]]-winning [[Buffalo Sabres]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=270420002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131224334/http://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=270420002|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2017|title=Buffalo holds off Islanders' rally for series-clinching win|date=April 20, 2007|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref>

Management announced in June 2007 that they would buy out captain [[Alexei Yashin]]'s contract, which had four seasons remaining on it.<ref>{{cite web |title=Islanders to Buyout Alexei Yashin |url=http://islanders.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=464981 |website=NHL.com |access-date=January 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222215101/http://islanders.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=464981 |archive-date=February 22, 2015 |date=June 6, 2007}}</ref> Free agents Smyth, Poti, [[Viktor Kozlov]], [[Jason Blake (ice hockey)|Jason Blake]], and [[Richard Zedník|Richard Zednik]] also left in July 2007.<ref name="Guerin">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/10/sports/hockey/10islanders.html|title=Islanders Name Captain; It's a Surprise|date=July 10, 2007|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/2007-07-01-255883848_x.htm|title=Smyth leaves Islanders for Avalanche|last=Podell|first=Ira|date=July 2, 2007|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> During that month, the Islanders signed [[Bill Guerin]] to a two-year contract as he immediately assumed team captaincy.<ref name="Guerin"/> Also in the off-season, free agents [[Mike Comrie]], [[Andy Sutton]] and [[Jon Sim]] joined the team.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/05/AR2007070501867.html|title=Islanders Sign Bill Guerin, Mike Comrie|last=Podell|first=Ira|date=July 5, 2007|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2969625|title=Islanders sign ex-Thrashers defenseman Sutton|date=August 11, 2007|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> That summer, it was announced that Nolan extended an invitation to Al Arbour to return as a coach for one game in order to bring his total number of games coached to 1,500.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/20/sports/hockey/20hockey.html?fta=y&_r=0|title=Arbour to Coach His 1,500th Game for the Isles|last=Caldwell|first=Dave|date=July 20, 2007|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://islanders.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=465041|title=Al Arbour Returns to Coach 1,500th Game|date=July 19, 2007|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref> Arbour signed a one-day contract, the shortest in league history, on November 3, 2007; it put him behind the bench the following day as the Islanders defeated the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] 3–2, raising his career coaching win total to 740.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/sports/hockey/04isles.html|title=Arbour Makes His Comeback, and Islanders Make It Count|last=Robinson|first=Joshua|date=November 4, 2007|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref> The team remained in the playoff hunt through the trade deadline as they re-signed Comrie to a one-year contract and traded away Simon and [[Marc-André Bergeron|Marc-Andre Bergeron]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=355097#&navid=nhl-search|title=Islanders sign Mike Comrie, trade Chris Simon and Marc-Andre Bergeron|date=February 26, 2008|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> A rash of injuries saw them plummet to the fifth-worst record in the league by the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=280404013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813055746/http://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=280404013|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 13, 2017|title=Dubielewicz makes 48 saves, Isles spoil Rangers' home finale with SO win|date=April 4, 2008|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Josh Bailey 2013-05-09.JPG|thumb|150px|left|[[Josh Bailey]] was drafted by the Islanders in 2008, to provide depth at the wing for the team.]]
At the [[2008 NHL entry draft]], the Islanders made two trades to move down from the fifth to the ninth overall pick, with which they selected center [[Josh Bailey]]. They also added free agents [[Mark Streit]] and [[Doug Weight]]. The team dismissed head coach [[Ted Nolan]] over alleged philosophy differences,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2008/07/14/NY-Islanders-fire-coach/UPI-57541216059166/|title= N.Y. Islanders fire coach|date=July 14, 2007|work=[[United Press International]]|access-date=January 6, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=3486480|title=Isles, coach Nolan part ways after two years; differences with GM cited|date=July 14, 2008|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> and later that summer replaced him with [[Scott Gordon (ice hockey)|Scott Gordon]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/islanders/2008-08-13-gordon-coach_N.htm|title= Islanders hire AHL coach of year Gordon to succeed Nolan|date=August 13, 2008|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> Near the trade deadline, Snow traded Comrie and [[Chris Campoli]] to the [[Ottawa Senators]] in exchange for forward [[Dean McAmmond]] and the [[San Jose Sharks]]' first-round draft pick in the [[2009 NHL entry draft]] and sent captain Bill Guerin to the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] in exchange for a conditional draft pick.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/127274-senators-surprisingly-trade-for-islanderss-mike-comrie|title=Senators Surprisingly Trade for Islanders' Mike Comrie|last=Poulin|first=Fred|date=February 20, 2009|work=[[Bleacher Report]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref><ref name="GuerinTrade">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/islanders-trade-bill-guerin-to-pittsburgh-penguins-1.896119|title=Islanders trade Guerin to Pittsburgh|last=Logan|first=Greg|date=March 4, 2009|work=[[Newsday]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref>

In the [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09 season]], the Islanders finished in last place in the league with a record of 26–47–9, which was the team's worst record since the 2000–01 season. After the conclusion of regular season, they won the draft lottery to retain the first overall pick in the [[2009 NHL entry draft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=418363|title=Islanders win 2009 Scotiabank/NHL Draft Lottery|last=Compton|first=Brian|publisher=National Hockey League|date=April 14, 2009|access-date=July 4, 2015}}</ref>

===The Tavares era begins (2009–2015)===
Beginning an effort to rebuild the team with new and young talent, the Islanders selected [[John Tavares]] with the first-overall pick of the [[2009 NHL entry draft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=498904|title=Tavares pumped, relieved after first NHL action|last=Kimberley|first=Todd|date=September 17, 2009|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> Tavares went into the draft as the top prospect in the majority of scouting reports,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/22584-The-Hockey-News-2009-Draft-Prospect-Rankings.html|title=The Hockey News' 2009 Draft Prospect Rankings|date=January 20, 2009|work=[[The Hockey News]]|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref> and it was widely expected that the Islanders would select him after they secured the first overall pick by winning the draft lottery, although there was plenty of competition between Tavares, [[Victor Hedman]], and [[Matt Duchene]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/sports/hockey/26nhl.html|title=Islanders Have Their Pick of Blue Chippers in Draft|last=Klein|first=Jeff Z.|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 25, 2009|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> [[NHL Central Scouting Bureau]]'s Chris Edwards spoke highly of him, stating, "[Tavares] is phenomenal at getting the puck through traffic to his linemates, getting to opening. The way he reads the play and can get to where he figures the rebounds will be and bangs in the rebound. He's a real smart player."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=392972|title=Tavares still No. 1 in Central Scouting's rankings|last=Kimelman|first=Adam|date=November 18, 2008|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref> They traded up twice in the first round to also select defenseman [[Calvin de Haan]] with the 12th overall pick,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/208091-a-look-at-the-islanders-draft-choices-for-2009|title=A Look at the Islanders Draft Choices for 2009|last=O'Malley|first=Eddie|work=[[Bleacher Report]]|date=June 27, 2009|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref> as well as [[Casey Cizikas]] and [[Anders Lee]] in later rounds, all of whom would go on to play consistently on the main roster by the [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/NYI/2015.html|title=2014–15 New York Islanders Roster and Statistics|work=Hockey Reference|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref>

The [[2009–10 NHL season|2009–10 season]] started out slow, with the team winless its first six games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyi-vs-sjs/2009/10/17/2009020097|title=Sharks keep Islanders winless with 4-1 victory|last=Compton|first=Brian|date=October 17, 2009|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref> The team continued to play inconsistently due to injuries as many wrote them off as potential playoff contenders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/54/2010-nhl-playoff-races-handicapping-whos-in-whos-out|title=The Playoff Push: Who's in, who's o|last=Burnside|first=Scott|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=April 2, 2010|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref> The team hit a mid-season hot streak,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=300118012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131023053/http://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=300118012|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2017|title=DiPietro saves Islanders with first shutout in almost two years|date=January 18, 2010|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref> however nine losses in 11 games before the Olympic break set them right back.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=300214012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915115126/http://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=300214012|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 15, 2017|title=Sens splurge for three in 3rd to upend Isles with stunning rally|date=February 14, 2010|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref> They ultimately ended up at bottom of the standings again, finishing the season 26th in the league.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?season=20092010&type=LEA|title=2009–2010 League Standings|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref> The placement led to a fifth overall pick in [[2010 NHL entry draft|2010]]. Continuing with their rebuilding process, they used the first round to draft young forwards [[Nino Niederreiter]] and [[Brock Nelson]] with picks five and 30, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://islanders.nhl.com/club/draftstats.htm?year=2010&round=All&team=NYI&supl=N|title=2010 Draft Choices|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref> As the [[2010–11 NHL season|2010–11 season]] got underway, the team quickly fell into a ten-game losing streak, leading to the firing of head coach [[Scott Gordon (ice hockey)|Scott Gordon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Islanders-coach-Scott-Gordon-fired-for-losing-wi?urn=nhl-285697|title=Islanders coach Scott Gordon fired for losing with terrible team|date=November 15, 2010|last=Wyshynski|first=Greg|work=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref><ref name="GordonFired">{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/islanders/2010-11-15-coach-scott-gordon-fired_N.htm|title=Islanders fire Scott Gordon as coach in midst of 10-game skid|last=Brehm|first=Mike|date=November 15, 2010|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref> He was replaced on an interim basis by [[Jack Capuano]], who had been coaching the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.<ref name="GordonFired"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/islanders-coach-scott-gordon-fired-10-game-losing-streak-jack-capuano-named-interim-article-1.453581|title=Islanders coach Scott Gordon fired after 10-game losing streak; Jack Capuano named as interim|last=Botte|first=Peter|work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|date=November 15, 2010 |location=New York|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref> Early in the season, they also acquired [[Michael Grabner]] from waivers, who went on to score 34 goals and was selected as a finalist for the [[Calder Memorial Trophy]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/483188-isles-claim-winger-michael-grabner-off-waivers-hope-to-get-some-extra-scoring|title=Isles Claim Winger Michael Grabner Off Waivers; Hope to Get Some Extra Scoring|last=Tabone|first=John|date=October 5, 2010|work=[[Bleacher Report]]|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref><ref name="GrabnerSigns">{{cite web|url=http://islanders.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=562689|title=Islanders Agree To Terms With Michael Grabner|date=May 13, 2011|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref> he would go on to sign a five-year contract with the team at the end of the season.<ref name="GrabnerSigns"/> This year also featured the [[Pittsburgh Penguins–New York Islanders brawl|Penguins–Islanders brawl]], which resulted in a combined 346 penalty minutes and a $100,000 fine to the Islanders for "failure to control their players".

[[File:John Tavares 2013-05-09.JPG|thumb|left|upright|[[John Tavares]], was named an alternate captain for the [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12 season]]. He was later named the team captain in 2013.]]
The [[2011–12 NHL season|following season]] was a breakout year for Tavares. The newly named assistant captain gained 31 goals and 50 assists,<ref name="JT Stats">{{cite web|url=http://islanders.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8475166|title=John Tavares statistics|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=February 2, 2015}}</ref> in addition to being selected to play in the [[59th National Hockey League All-Star Game|59th NHL All-Star Game]] at the age of 21;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2015/01/24/john-tavares-getting-comfortable-in-all-star-spotlight/|title=John Tavares getting comfortable in All-Star spotlight|last=Crygalis|first=Brett|date=January 24, 2015|work=[[New York Post]]|access-date=February 2, 2015}}</ref> his 81 points were seventh-best in the league.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20122ALLSASALL&sort=points&viewName=summary|title=2011–2012 Regular Season Statistics|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=February 2, 2015}}</ref> Tavares' left-winger [[Matt Moulson]] also had a strong season, finishing with career highs of 36 goals, 33 assists and 69 points.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://islanders.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8470852|title=Matt Moulson statistics|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=February 2, 2015}}</ref> Despite strong seasons from their top players, the team finished 27th in the league with a record of 34–37–11, continuing their pattern of racking up top prospects with early picks at the drafts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?season=20112012&type=lea#&navid=nav-stn-league|title=2011–2012 League Standings|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=February 2, 2015}}</ref> They used the first round of the [[2012 NHL entry draft|2012 draft]] to select defenseman [[Griffin Reinhart]] with the fourth overall pick.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2014/10/16/islanders-face-a-real-pickle-with-griffin-reinhart/|title=Islanders face a real pickle with Griffin Reinhart|date=October 16, 2014|work=[[New York Post]]|last=Crygalis|first=Brett|access-date=February 2, 2015}}</ref>

On August 1, 2011, voters in [[Nassau County, New York|Nassau County]] rejected a proposal for a new arena to replace Nassau Coliseum. This followed the failed decade-long attempt by owner Charles Wang to build a mixed-use development called [[The Lighthouse Project]], which would have renovated the arena.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/02/nyregion/nassau-voters-reject-proposal-to-overhaul-coliseum.html|title=Nassau Voters Reject Proposal to Fix Coliseum|last=Caldwell|first=Dave|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 2, 2011|access-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref> In the wake of the vote, speculation began that the team would eventually move to [[Barclays Center]] in [[Brooklyn]], new arenas in [[Queens]] or [[Suffolk County, New York|Suffolk County]], the [[Sprint Center]] in [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]], or the [[Videotron Centre]] in [[Quebec City]], the last of which was coincidentally set to open at the same time as the expiration of the Islanders' lease on the Nassau Coliseum in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brooklyn Has A Shot at Grabbing Islanders|first=Rich|last=Calder|url=https://nypost.com/2011/08/03/brooklyn-has-shot-at-grabbing-islanders/|work=[[New York Post]]|date=August 3, 2011|access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/25/quebec-citys-new-arena-begins-construction-in-september/|title=Quebec City's new arena begins construction in September|date=March 25, 2012|last=Yerdon|first=Joe|work=[[NBC Sports]]|access-date=April 2, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/brooklyn-queens-battle-islanders-team-brewing-article-1.153001|title=Brooklyn-Queens battle for the Islanders team brewing|last=Hirshon|first=Nicholas|work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date=January 7, 2011|access-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref>

On October 24, 2012, the Islanders made the announcement that the franchise would indeed be moving to the [[Barclays Center]] in [[Brooklyn]] for the 2015–16 NHL season, after signing a lease that would keep the team in the arena until 2040. The team retained its name, logo and colors as part of the move.<ref name="IslandersBrooklyn2015">{{cite web|last=Rosen|first=Dan|date=October 24, 2012|title=Islanders officially headed to Brooklyn in 2015|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=644164|access-date=June 2, 2015|publisher=National Hockey League}}</ref><ref name="BarclaysMove">{{cite web|last=Mazzeo|first=Mike|title=New York Islanders following Nets to Brooklyn|url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/nhl/story/_/id/8545550/islanders-following-nets-brooklyn|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=January 15, 2015|date=October 24, 2012}}</ref> As part of the deal, the management of Barclays Center took over the team's business operations once the Islanders moved to Barclays Center.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/so_like_isles_start_lookin_like_CXMENQtTB5PWxOamOgIYLO|title=Islanders may change look with move to Brooklyn|work=[[New York Post]]|access-date=February 3, 2014|first=Josh|last=Kosman}}</ref> The decision to move to Brooklyn didn't require the Rangers' approval. Under a longstanding provision of the agreement that allowed the Islanders to share the New York area with the Rangers, the Islanders are allowed to play their games anywhere on Long Island, including the two city boroughs on the island, Brooklyn and [[Queens]].<ref>{{cite news |title=New York Islanders Ponder Move to Willets Point|first=Connor Adams|last=Sheets|url=http://yournabe.com/articles/2010/05/20/astoria_times/news/at_islanders_willets_pt_20100520.txt|newspaper=Astoria Times|date=May 20, 2010|access-date=May 30, 2010}}</ref>

Beginning on April 1, 2013, of the [[2012–13 NHL season|2012–13 season]], the team went on a near month-long unbeaten streak in regulation time, posting a 12-game streak of earning points until falling to the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] later that month.<ref name="April25">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=400443168|title=Flyers double up Islanders in home finale|date=April 25, 2013|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref> During that streak, on April 23, 2013, they clinched their first playoff berth since 2007 with a 4–3 shootout loss to the [[Carolina Hurricanes]], ending a six-year playoff drought.<ref name="April25"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/islanders-lose-hurricanes-clinch-playoff-025030467--nhl.html|title=Islanders lose to Hurricanes but clinch playoff berth|date=April 23, 2013|work=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|access-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref> Behind goaltender [[Evgeni Nabokov]], the team was ultimately eliminated in six games by the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] in the first round of the [[2013 Stanley Cup playoffs|playoffs]], continuing their winless streak in playoff series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2013/05/12/islanders-are-out-of-playoffs-after-loss-to-penguins/|title=Islanders are out of playoffs after loss to Penguins|last=Crygalis|first=Brett|work=[[New York Post]]|date=May 12, 2013|access-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/hockey/post/_/id/13633/isles-gain-respect-with-playoff-performance|last=Strang|first=Katie|date=May 12, 2013|publisher=[[ESPN]]|title=Isles gain respect with playoff performance|access-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref>

On September 10, 2013, Tavares was introduced as the 14th captain in New York Islanders history, replacing former Islander Mark Streit of the Philadelphia Flyers, who served as team captain since 2011.<ref name="TavaresCaptain">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=681838|title=Islanders name Tavares 14th team captain|last=Compton|first=Brian|date=September 9, 2013|access-date=January 16, 2015|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]}}</ref> After posting a 4–4–3 record in their first 11 games, the Islanders made a trade, sending fan favorite and three-time 30-goal scorer Matt Moulson, their 2014 first-round draft pick and their 2015 second-round draft pick to the [[Buffalo Sabres]] in exchange for [[Thomas Vanek]], a highly regarded and dynamic goal scorer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=688958|title=Islanders react to Moulson-for-Vanek trade|date=October 28, 2013|last=Compton|first=Brian|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2013/10/27/thomas-vanek-trade-buffalo-sabres-new-york-islanders/3283065/|title=Sabres trade Thomas Vanek to Islanders|last=Allen|first=Kevin|date=October 28, 2013|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref> Despite chemistry with linemates Tavares and [[Kyle Okposo]], however, his desire to test free agency and the team's impending move to [[Barclays Center]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/thomas-vanek-says-isles-move-to-brooklyn-was-factor-in-his-departure-isles-fans-should-thank-him|title=THOMAS VANEK SAYS ISLES' MOVE TO BROOKLYN WAS FACTOR IN HIS DEPARTURE; ISLES FANS SHOULD THANK HIM
|date=March 24, 2015|newspaper=[[The Hockey News]]|access-date=March 30, 2023}}</ref> led to Vanek being dealt to the [[Montreal Canadiens]] at the trade deadline for [[Sebastian Collberg]] and a second-round pick in [[2014 NHL entry draft|2014]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/new-york-islanders-trade-thomas-vanek-to-montreal-canadiens-1.7294897|title=Isles' Thomas Vanek traded to Canadiens|date=March 5, 2014|last=Staple|first=Arthur|work=[[Newsday]]|access-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=708081|title=Vanek traded to Canadiens by Islanders|date=March 5, 2014|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref> After a season of player swapping and goaltending issues, they failed to qualify for the [[2014 Stanley Cup playoffs|playoffs]], finishing with a record of 34–37–11.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=727264|title=Islanders stock up for last season at Nassau Coliseum|last=Compton|first=Brian|date=August 1, 2014|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Nick Leddy - New York Islanders.jpg|thumb|upright|The Islanders acquired [[Nick Leddy]] through a trade with the [[Chicago Blackhawks]] during the 2014 off-season.]]
In the 2014 off-season, the Islanders made several moves to improve the team before their [[2014–15 NHL season|final season]] at Nassau Coliseum. In May, the Islanders acquired the rights to [[Jaroslav Halák|Jaroslav Halak]] from the [[Washington Capitals]] in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2014. Halak was then signed to a four-year contract. The Islanders also signed [[Mikhail Grabovski]], [[Nikolai Kulemin]] and goaltender [[Chad Johnson (ice hockey)|Chad Johnson]] as free agents. Additionally, on October 4, the Islanders acquired [[Johnny Boychuk]] from the [[Boston Bruins]] for two-second round picks in 2014 and [[2015 NHL entry draft|2015]] and a conditional third-round pick in 2015, as well as [[Nick Leddy]] from the [[Chicago Blackhawks]] in exchange for prospect [[Ville Pokka]], [[T. J. Brennan]] and the rights to [[Anders Nilsson (ice hockey)|Anders Nilsson]].

The NHL Board of Governors approved the Islanders' sale to businessmen [[Jon Ledecky]] and [[Scott D. Malkin]] in October 2014. Ledecky and Malkin served as minority partners during a two-year transition period. At the end of the 2015–16 season, they formally took majority control from Wang, who retained a share of the franchise.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/islanders-sale-from-charles-wang-to-ledecky-malkin-finalized-1.9484665|title=Islanders' sale from Charles Wang to Jonathan Ledecky, Scott Malkin finalized|date=October 9, 2014|work=Newsday|author=Best, Neil|access-date=November 26, 2014}}</ref>

The Islanders finished the 2014–15 regular season with a record of 47–28–7 for 101 points, and met the Washington Capitals in the first round of the [[2015 Stanley Cup playoffs|2015 playoffs]]. The Capitals held home-ice advantage in the series after the Islanders lost their final regular season game to the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]], 5–4, in a shootout, as the Islanders lost the season series to the Capitals after posting a 2–1–1 record in the season series (Washington went 2–0–2, winning the season series with six points to the Islanders' five). On April 19, 2015, in the third game of their first-round series against Washington, John Tavares scored 15 seconds into overtime to win the game for the Islanders, 2–1. It was the second-shortest overtime playoff game in Islanders history, and was the first overtime, game-winning goal for the Islanders in the playoffs since 1993. The Islanders lost the fourth and fifth games of their series before rebounding in the sixth game to force a seventh game in the series. However, they were denied entry into the second round by a single goal and would ultimately fall to the Capitals in seven games. As a result, game 6 was the Islanders' last game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum; the Isles' [[Cal Clutterbuck]] scored the final NHL goal in the building's first run prior to the Islanders' return in 2018.

===Move to Barclays Center and playoff series win (2015–2017)===
In June 2015, the Islanders entered the [[2015 NHL entry draft|2015 draft]] without a first-round pick, but emerged with two first-rounders in [[Mathew Barzal]] and [[Anthony Beauvillier]] after a series of draft day trades.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dominik |date=June 26, 2015 |title=Isles acquire 28th pick, draft Anthony Beauvillier |url=https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2015/6/26/8855573/islanders-trade-for-28th-pick-lightning-2015-nhl-draft |access-date=March 31, 2023 |website=Lighthouse Hockey}}</ref> The Islanders also selected forward [[Andong Song]] in the sixth round of the 2015 draft, making him the first Chinese player to be drafted by an NHL team.<ref name="Song drafted">{{cite web|last1=Kimelman|first1=Adam|title=First Chinese player to be drafted chosen by Islanders|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=772672|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=July 2, 2015|date=June 27, 2015}}</ref>

[[File:BarclayCenter-1 (48034234167).jpg|thumb|[[Barclays Center]] in [[Brooklyn]]. The Islanders played their home games there from 2015 to 2020.]]
The Islanders played their first regular season game at [[Barclays Center]] on October 9, 2015, losing 3–2 in overtime to the [[Chicago Blackhawks]]. [[Artem Anisimov]] scored the first regular season goal, while Tavares scored the first regular season Islanders goal. The Islanders posted the fourth-best penalty kill rate and allowed the fewest power-play goals during the season. However, in the last quarter of the regular season, some players, including Halak and defenseman [[Travis Hamonic]], suffered key injuries. The team finished the regular season fourth in the Metropolitan Division with 100 points, enough to clinch the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. In the first round of the playoffs, they faced off against the [[Florida Panthers]]; goaltender [[Thomas Greiss]] only played in 40 minutes of playoff hockey with the [[San Jose Sharks]] prior to this series. Both teams split the first four games of the series. The fifth game of the series proved to be a major turning point, as late season call-up [[Alan Quine]] scored the game-winning goal on the power play with four minutes left in double overtime to end the second-longest game in franchise history; that goal gave them a 3–2 series lead and a chance to clinch the series on home ice. In the sixth game, the Islanders trailed 1–0 for much of the game, but Tavares tied it late in the third period. Tavares would score again with the series-clinching goal in double overtime to give the Islanders their first playoff series win since 1993. In the second round of the playoffs, they faced the Tampa Bay Lightning for the first time since 2004. Despite winning the first game of the series, the Islanders lost their series to the Lightning in five games.

[[File:Andrew Ladd Islanders.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Andrew Ladd]] prior to a game during the [[2016–17 NHL season|2016–17 season]]. Ladd signed with the Islanders as a free agent during the 2016 off-season.]]
Summer of 2016 saw free agents and longtime Islanders Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen, and Matt Martin all depart the team, joining the [[Buffalo Sabres]], [[Detroit Red Wings]], and [[Toronto Maple Leafs]], respectively. Snow signed free agents [[Andrew Ladd]] from the [[Chicago Blackhawks]] and [[Jason Chimera]] from the [[Washington Capitals]] to help fill the gaps left behind.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/andrew-ladd-jason-chimera-sign-with-islanders-who-lose-kyle-okposo-frans-nielsen-matt-martin-1.11993762|title=Andrew Ladd, Jason Chimera sign with Islanders, who lose Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen, Matt Martin|last=Staple|first=Arthur|date=July 1, 2016|work=[[Newsday]]|access-date=January 18, 2017}}</ref> After an underwhelming first half of the [[2016–17 NHL season|2016–17 season]], posting a 17–17–8 record through 42 games, head coach Jack Capuano was relieved of duties, with assistant general manager [[Doug Weight]] being named interim head coach.<ref name="Capuanofired">{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/islanders-fire-jack-capuano-doug-weight-named-interim/story?id=44835436|title=Islanders fire Jack Capuano; Doug Weight named interim coach|date=January 17, 2017|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|access-date=January 18, 2017}}</ref> Having coached the team since 2010, Capuano was the second-winningest coach in the team's history with 227 wins, also leading the team to their first playoff series win since 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/nhl/story/new-york-islanders-fire-coach-jack-capuano-after-disastrous-first-half-seven-seasons-011717|title=Islanders fire coach Jack Capuano after disastrous first half|last=Blackburn|first=Pete|date=January 17, 2017|work=[[Fox Sports]]|access-date=January 18, 2017}}</ref> Prior to Capuano's release, goaltender Jaroslav Halak was placed on waivers, and eventually sent down to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Having carried three goaltenders for the second consecutive season, the decision was made to stick with the tandem of Greiss and back-up [[Jean-François Bérubé|Jean-Francois Berube]] after Halak posted a 6–8–5 record with a .904 save percentage through the beginning of the 2016–17 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/18376956/new-york-islanders-waive-goalie-jaroslav-halak|title=New York Islanders waive goalie Jaroslav Halak|date=January 1, 2017|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=January 18, 2017}}</ref>

In late January 2017, following a report by ''[[Bloomberg News]]'' which speculated that Barclays Center was considering removing the Islanders due to poor attendance and effects on the venue's profit margins (reception to Barclays Center as a hockey venue was mixed partly due to obstructed view seats,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kreda |first=Allan |date=March 1, 2020 |title=The Islanders Are Saying Goodbye to Brooklyn |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/29/sports/hockey/islanders-nassau-coliseum.html |access-date=March 31, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> as well as features like an off-center scoreboard, and the Islanders had the third-worst average attendance in the entire league while playing at the venue), ''[[Newsday]]'' reported that Nassau County executive Edward Mangano had met with one of the team's co-owners, and told the paper that it was possible that the Islanders could return to the renovated Nassau Coliseum.<ref name="bloomberg-maybeleaving">{{cite news|title=Brooklyn's Barclays Center Is Dumping the Islanders|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-30/brooklyn-s-barclays-center-said-to-be-dumping-the-islanders|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date=January 30, 2017|access-date=January 31, 2017}}</ref><ref name="sn-returntonassau">{{cite web|title=Report: Islanders discussed a return to Nassau Coliseum|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/report-islanders-discussed-return-nassau-coliseum/|website=Sportsnet.ca|access-date=January 31, 2017}}</ref> However, commissioner [[Gary Bettman]] considered the concept to be "unviable" (the renovation reduced the capacity of the arena to just under 14,000, which is smaller than any NHL arena), and noted that Ledecky and Malkin were pursuing a possible arena project at [[Belmont Park]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nypost.com/2017/09/09/nhl-on-islanders-nassau-coliseum-hopes-keep-dreaming/|title=NHL on Islanders' Nassau Coliseum hopes: Keep dreaming|date=September 9, 2017|work=New York Post|access-date=October 3, 2017}}</ref>

Despite winning their last six games of the 2016–17 season, the Islanders finished in ninth place in the Eastern Conference; they missed the playoffs by only one point when the Toronto Maple Leafs clinched the final playoff spot on the penultimate day of the season.

===Emergence of Barzal and management overhaul (2017–present)===
On February 9, 2018, rookie [[Mathew Barzal]] recorded his third five-point game, becoming only the second rookie to do so since [[Joe Malone]] in 1917–18 and tying a 100-year-old record in the process.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cantlon |first1=Kyle |title=Mathew Barzal ties 100-year-old record with another five-point game |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/super-rookie-mathew-barzal-registers-another-five-point-game-040056363.html |website=Yahoo! Sports |access-date=August 24, 2018 |date=February 9, 2018}}</ref> At the end of the 2017–18 regular season, Barzal had 85 points (22 goals, 63 assists). He led his team and all NHL rookies in points, and was tied for 13th overall in scoring in the NHL. Barzal was the seventh rookie in NHL history, and first since [[Sidney Crosby]] in 2005–06, to have scored at least 20 goals and 60 assists in a single season.<ref name="Barzal Calder">{{cite web |title=Barzal of Islanders wins Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/calder-trophy-winner-mathew-barzal-of-new-york-islanders/c-299142048 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=August 24, 2018 |date=June 20, 2018}}</ref> Barzal also tied Islanders legend, [[Bryan Trottier]]'s franchise record for rookie assists.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McCarthy |first1=Dave |title=Barzal, Islanders have bright future, Trottier says |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/bryan-trottier-says-mathew-barzal-new-york-islanders-have-bright-future/c-299749372 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=August 24, 2018 |date=August 13, 2018}}</ref> Barzal won the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year for his 85-point season, leading the closest candidate by 20 points and receiving 160 out of 164 first-place votes. Barzal was the first Islanders' player to win the award since [[Bryan Berard]] in 1997, and he was the fifth Islanders' player overall to win the trophy, joining Islanders legends [[Mike Bossy]] (1978), Trottier (1976), and [[Denis Potvin]] (1974).<ref name="Barzal Calder" />

[[File:Islanders players after win vs Avalanche on January 6, 2020 (Quintin Soloviev).jpg|thumb|Islanders players after a win against the [[Colorado Avalanche]] on January 6, 2020]]
During the 2018 off-season, the Islanders announced that former [[New Jersey Devils]] and [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] general manager [[Lou Lamoriello]] was named their president of hockey operations, with "full authority over all hockey matters with the organization", and would become general manager on June 5, 2018, replacing [[Garth Snow]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Islanders officially hand the reins to Lou Lamoriello as new president of hockey operations|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/islanders/islanders-officially-hand-reins-lou-lamoriello-article-1.4003094|website=Daily News|location=New York|access-date=May 31, 2018|date=May 22, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Islanders relieve GM Garth Snow, head coach Doug Weight of duties|url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/islanders-garth-snow-doug-weight-1.18985504|website=Newsday|access-date=June 5, 2018|date=June 5, 2018}}</ref> Additionally, [[Barry Trotz]] was hired as head coach of the Islanders. Trotz resigned from the Washington Capitals one month prior after coaching them to their first Stanley Cup championship since they entered the NHL in 1974.<ref name=trotz>{{cite web |title=Trotz hired as coach of Islanders after leaving Capitals, Won Stanley Cup for first time, fifth in NHL wins |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/barry-trotz-hired-as-coach-of-new-york-islanders/c-299164078 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=June 21, 2018 |date=June 21, 2018}}</ref> Captain John Tavares' contract with the team expired following the 2017–18 season, and despite attempts to re-sign him,<ref name=trotz /> he joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent.<ref>{{cite web |title=Maple Leafs Agree to Terms with Free Agent Forward John Tavares |url=https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/maple-leafs-agree-to-terms-with-free-agent-forward-john-tavares/c-299371862 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=July 2, 2018 |date=July 1, 2018}}</ref>

In the 2018–19 season, the Islanders split their home games between Barclays Center and their former home, Nassau Coliseum. The use of both arenas would continue over the course of the following two seasons until the completion of a new 18,000-seat arena at [[UBS Arena|Belmont Park]] in [[Elmont, New York|Elmont]].<ref>{{cite web|title=It's official: New York Islanders heading back to Nassau County|url=http://abc7ny.com/sports/its-official-islanders-heading-back-to-nassau-county/2803176/|website=ABC7 New York|access-date=December 20, 2017|date=December 20, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Belmont Park Redevelopment-Conditional Designation of New YorkArena Partners ("NYAP") as Developer|url=https://esd.ny.gov/sites/default/files/rfp/Selection%20Committee%20Recommendation%20.pdf|website=esd.ny.gov|access-date=December 20, 2017|date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222050848/https://esd.ny.gov/sites/default/files/rfp/Selection%20Committee%20Recommendation%20.pdf|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NHLCompton">{{cite web|last1=Compton|first1=Brian|title=Islanders to play 12 games at Nassau Coliseum in 2018-19|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-islanders-to-play-12-games-at-nassau-coliseum-in-2018-19/c-295409152|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=January 30, 2018|date=January 29, 2018}}</ref> The Islanders enjoyed success throughout the 2018–19 season, clinching a playoff berth at home for the first time in 17 years, and the first time in March since 1990.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Skinny: Islanders 5, Sabres 1 |url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/the-skinny-islanders-5-sabres-1/c-306311106 |access-date=March 31, 2019 |date=March 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Best: Isles cap turnaround with playoff berth|url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/islanders-nassau-coliseum-cup-1.29184116|access-date=August 22, 2021|website=Newsday}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=March 31, 2019|title=Islanders Clinch Playoff Berth With Win Against Sabres|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/30/sports/nhl-islanders-devils-sabres-blues.html|access-date=August 22, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Nassau Coliseum hosted their home playoff games during the first round while the Barclays Center hosted their home games for the rest of the playoffs.<ref name="NHLCompton" /><ref>{{cite web |title=New York Islanders Announcement Regarding The 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs |url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/new-york-islanders-announcement-regarding-the-2019-stanley-cup-playoffs/c-304868856 |website=NHL.com |access-date=April 4, 2019 |date=February 15, 2019}}</ref> In the first round of the [[2019 Stanley Cup playoffs|2019 playoffs]], the Islanders swept the Pittsburgh Penguins, and in the second round the team was swept by the [[Carolina Hurricanes]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dusterberg |first1=Kurt |title=Hurricanes sweep Islanders in Game 4, reach Eastern Conference Final |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-islanders-carolina-hurricanes-game-4-recap/c-307193668 |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 5, 2019 |date=May 3, 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Belmont Park td (2021-12-19) 018 - UBS Arena.jpg|thumb|left|230px|Since November 2021, the Islanders have played their home games at UBS Arena in [[Elmont, New York]].]]
On August 8, 2019, the [[Empire State Development Corporation]] board (ESD) voted unanimously in favor of the Belmont Park Arena project.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schram |first1=Carol |title=New York Islanders' Belmont Park Arena Proposal Receives State Board Approval |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolschram/2019/08/09/new-york-islanders-belmont-park-arena-proposal-receives-state-board-approval/#476f1cd37d6b |website=Forbes |access-date=August 28, 2019 |date=August 9, 2019}}</ref>

In February 2020, it was announced that the Islanders would return to Nassau Coliseum for the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs and the 2020–21 season until [[UBS Arena]] was opened.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kreda |first1=Allan |title=The Islanders Are Saying Goodbye to Brooklyn |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/29/sports/hockey/islanders-nassau-coliseum.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=March 2, 2020 |date=February 29, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Joyce |first1=Greg |title=Islanders ditching Barclays Center for Nassau Coliseum full-time |url=https://nypost.com/2020/02/29/islanders-ditching-barclays-center-for-nassau-coliseum-full-time/ |website=New York Post |access-date=March 2, 2020 |date=February 29, 2020}}</ref> Both the 2019–20 season and the construction of the new arena were interrupted by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. When the NHL season was suspended on March 12, 2020, the Islanders had twelve regular season games remaining and were one point shy of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Mollie |title=Construction on Islanders' Belmont Park arena stopped due to coronavirus |url=https://nypost.com/2020/03/27/construction-on-islanders-belmont-park-arena-stopped-due-to-coronavirus/ |website=nypost.com |access-date=April 21, 2020 |date=March 27, 2020}}</ref> The Islanders qualified for the NHL Return-to-Play initiative as the seventh seed, beating the [[Florida Panthers]] in four games in a best-of-5 qualifying round to make the [[2020 Stanley Cup playoffs]]. They would then go on to defeat the [[Washington Capitals]] in the first round in five games. Then, after blowing a 3–1 series lead to the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] that extended the series to seven games, the Islanders would go on to win game 7 against the Flyers and advance to the conference finals for the first time since the [[1993 Stanley Cup playoffs|1993 playoffs]]. However, their run would come to an end at the hands of the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] in six games. In December 2020, New York Islanders Hockey Club, L.P. bought the remaining 15 percent stake of the team from the [[Charles Wang|estate of Charles Wang]] and took full ownership of the team.<ref>{{cite web |title=NY Hockey Holdings Buys 15% of Islanders from Family of Charles B. Wang |url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/ny-hockey-holdings-buys-15-of-islanders-from-family-of-charles-b-wang/c-319918118 |website=NHL.com |access-date=February 25, 2021 |date=December 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Long |first1=Michael |title=New York Hockey Holdings takes full ownership of NHL's Islanders - SportsPro Media |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/new-york-hockey-holdings-nhl-islanders-charles-wang |website=sportspromedia.com |access-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105114103/https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/new-york-hockey-holdings-nhl-islanders-charles-wang |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |date=January 5, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gross |first1=Andrew |title=Isles ownership buys remainder of Charles Wang's stake |url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/charles-wang-jon-ledecky-1.50105990 |website=Newsday |access-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231002945/https://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/charles-wang-jon-ledecky-1.50105990 |archive-date=December 31, 2020 |date=December 30, 2020}}</ref>

The Islanders again made the playoffs in the shortened 2020–21 season, defeating the Penguins and Bruins each in six games. They again lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning, this time in seven.

The Islanders started the 2021–22 season on a 13-game road trip while [[UBS Arena]] was finalizing construction, finishing their road trip with a 5–6–2 record.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pantorno |first1=Joe |title='It Absolutely Blew Me Away': Islanders Get First Taste of UBS Arena |url=https://www.longislandpress.com/2021/11/19/it-absolutely-blew-me-away-islanders-get-first-taste-of-ubs-arena/ |website=Long Island Press |access-date=May 9, 2022 |date=November 19, 2021}}</ref> However, minutes before the first home game of the season on November 20, 2021, many Islander players contracted COVID-19 and missed the home opener and several others. Longest tenured Islander [[Josh Bailey]] and team captain [[Anders Lee]] missed the game, while [[Adam Pelech]], [[Anthony Beauvillier]], and [[Andy Greene]] were ruled out minutes before puck drop.<ref>{{cite web |title=Islanders missing several players to COVID protocol ahead of new arena opener |url=https://theathletic.com/news/islanders-missing-several-players-to-covid-protocol-ahead-of-new-arena-opener/c0PUPxb7SRjA/ |website=The Athletic |access-date=May 9, 2022 |date=November 20, 2021}}</ref> They lost the home opener to the [[Calgary Flames]] by a score of 5–2.<ref name="UBS first game">{{cite web |title=Flames spoil opening of Islanders' new arena with 5-2 win |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401349399 |website=ESPN |access-date=May 9, 2022 |date=November 20, 2021}}</ref> [[Brad Richardson]] scored the first goal in UBS Arena history, while [[Brock Nelson]] scored the first Islander goal.<ref name="UBS first game" /> The Islanders won their first game at UBS Arena against the Devils, on December 11, by a score of 4–2. Former Devils captain [[Zach Parise]] scored the game-winning goal for the Islanders.<ref>{{cite web |title=Parise, Greene lead Islanders to first win at new arena |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401349555 |website=ESPN |access-date=May 9, 2022 |date=December 11, 2021}}</ref> The Islanders missed the playoffs after three consecutive trips, finishing the season with a 37–35–10 record.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stamkos scores 3, Lightning rally to beat Islanders 6-4 |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401407011 |website=ESPN |access-date=May 9, 2022 |date=April 29, 2022}}</ref> On May 9, 2022, head coach Barry Trotz was relieved from his duties,<ref name="Trotz fired">{{cite web |title=Trotz Relieved of Coaching Duties |url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/trotz-relieved-of-coaching-duties/c-333909038 |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 9, 2022 |date=May 9, 2022}}</ref> and replaced with [[Lane Lambert]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/lambert-named-head-coach/c-334120678|title=Lambert Named Head Coach|website=NHL.com|date=May 16, 2022|access-date=April 19, 2024}}</ref> In the [[2022–23 NHL season|next season]], the Islanders finished as the first wild card, but were defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the [[2023 Stanley Cup playoffs|2023 playoffs]].

After an inconsistent start to the 2023–24 season, head coach Lane Lambert was fired on January 20, 2024, and [[Patrick Roy]] was hired as his replacement.<ref>{{cite web |title=Islanders Name Roy Head Coach |url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/islanders-name-roy-head-coach |website=NHL.com |access-date=February 2, 2024 |date=January 20, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Ryan S. |title=Islanders fire Lane Lambert, hire Patrick Roy as coach |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39350719/islanders-fire-lane-lambert-hire-patrick-roy-coach |website=ESPN.com |access-date=February 2, 2024 |date=January 20, 2024}}</ref> The Islanders finished in third place in the Metropolitan Division and lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the [[2024 Stanley Cup playoffs|2024 playoffs]].

After a disappointing [[2024–25 New York Islanders season|2024-25 season]] where the team finished 35–35–12 and missing the playoffs by 9 points, the Islanders announced on April 22, 2025, that they would not be renewing Lamoriello’s contract, effectively ending his time as general manager and president of hockey operations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Islanders Statement on Lou Lamoriello |url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/islanders-statement-on-lou-lamoriello |access-date=April 22, 2025 |website=NHL.com |date=April 22, 2025}}</ref> Despite having only the 10th-best odds, the Islanders won the [[2025 NHL entry draft|2025 NHL draft lottery]] and will select first overall for the first time since 2009.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rasmussen |first1=Karl |title=Islanders Stunningly Win No. 1 Pick in 2025 NHL Draft Lottery |url=https://www.si.com/nhl/islanders-stunningly-win-no-1-pick-2025-nhl-draft-lottery |website=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=May 5, 2025 |access-date=May 6, 2025}}</ref>

==Team identity==

===Logo===
[[File:NewYorkIslandersOld.svg|thumb|left|150px|The Islanders' first logo, used from 1972 to 1995; a similar logo with a slight difference in colors was used from 1997 to 2010.]]
[[File:New York Islanders wordmark logo.svg|thumb|right|150px|The club's current wordmark logo.]]
Advertising executive John Alogna created the original Islanders logo, a circle with the letters "NY" over a map of the [[Nassau County, New York|Nassau]] and [[Suffolk County, New York|Suffolk]] counties. The lower part of the Y is made to resemble a hockey stick, with three orange stripes near the bottom of the shaft and a puck to the right of the stick blade. At the bottom of the logo, the name of the team is written so that the tip of the "I" ends in a point aimed at [[Uniondale, New York|Uniondale]], the location of Nassau Coliseum.

Before the [[1995–96 NHL season|1995–96 season]], the Islanders attempted to update their look by introducing a new logo depicting a fisherman holding a hockey stick. The new logo was a marketing disaster; the reaction among the fanbase was so negative that management announced it would revert to the original logo as soon as league rules allowed them to do so. Many found that the logo bore a strong resemblance to the [[Gorton's of Gloucester|Gorton's fisherman]]; indeed, [[New York Rangers]] fans taunted the Islanders with chants of "We want [[fish finger|fishsticks]]!" long after the logo was discarded.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2018/12/06/inside-the-disaster-that-was-the-islanders-fisherman-logo/|title=Billy Joel, mascot threats: Inside Islanders' disastrous fisherman logo|last=Tucker|first=Reed|date=December 6, 2018|work=New York Post|access-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029090440/https://nypost.com/2018/12/06/inside-the-disaster-that-was-the-islanders-fisherman-logo/|archive-date=October 29, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> The traditional logo was phased back in over the next two seasons, starting as an [[Third jersey|alternate jersey]] logo in [[1996–97 NHL season|1996–97]] before fully replacing the fisherman in [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98]]. The only change to the classic logo at this time was its colors; as the team had replaced its original royal blue with navy, the logo was recolored to match.

[[File:New York Islanders logo (1995–97).svg|thumb|left|200px|The short-lived "Fisherman" logo, used from 1995 to 1997]]
Beginning in [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09]], the Islanders introduced another modification to their original logo for their new third jersey. The "new" logo, once again in royal blue, now features four orange stripes on the hockey stick instead of three, representing the four consecutive Stanley Cup titles won by the team in the 1980s. This became the team's full-time logo in 2010.

For their [[2014 NHL Stadium Series|2014 Stadium Series]] special jerseys, the Islanders used a simplified jersey logo with just the "NY" from their regular logo. Versions of that have since appeared on third jersey designs.

===Jerseys===
The Islanders debuted in 1972 with traditional-style jerseys: one was white with orange and royal blue stripes near the waistline and on the sleeves, the other was royal blue with white and orange stripes. The design remained largely the same, with only minor tweaks through the [[1994–95 NHL season|1994–95 season]].

Prior to the [[1995–96 NHL season|1995–96 season]], team executives decided to change the jersey. The fisherman logo replaced the "NY" circular design, incorporating navy blue and a brighter orange, and introducing teal and gray shades. The team was seeking increased merchandise revenues, with the outward justification of connecting the team more overtly to Long Island. The jersey included a lighthouse shoulder patch, a reference to the [[Montauk Lighthouse]], and featured uneven stripes resembling an ocean wave near the waistline, on the sleeves, and across the shoulders. All of the numbering and lettering on the jerseys also followed the wave pattern.<ref>{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Botta|title=The Tale of the Fisherman Jersey Or, Shame and Mutiny on the Bounty|date=October 19, 2008|url=http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/10/the-tale-of-the-fisherman-jerseyor-shame-and-mutiny-on-the-bounty/|access-date=October 20, 2008}}</ref> Late in the season, the team eliminated the fisherman logo, but league rules forbade them from switching jersey designs for the [[1996–97 NHL season|1996–97 season]] on only a few months' notice. Instead, they debuted their first [[Third jersey|third (and fourth) jerseys]], which were identical to the home and road jerseys worn by the team, except the circular "NY" crest, now colored in the navy blue and bright orange shades to match, replaced the fisherman logo. The team wore these jerseys in approximately 15 games during that season and adopted them permanently in the [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98 season]].

[[File:NYIslandersAlternate.png|thumb|200px|The shoulder logo used on Islanders jerseys from 1998 through 2010]]
Prior to the [[1998–99 NHL season|1998–99 season]], the team's jerseys reverted to a traditional design but kept the navy blue and bright orange shades from the jerseys used the previous three seasons. They added a shoulder patch of four bars, alternating in color, to represent the Islanders' four Stanley Cup championships. A predominantly orange third jersey was introduced in [[2002–03 NHL season|2002–03]], featuring navy blue yokes and sides that formed sharp points on the sleeves and body. The team wore this jersey through the [[2006–07 NHL season|2006–07 season]].

For the [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08 season]], the Islanders redesigned their uniforms as all NHL teams changed over to the [[Reebok Edge]] system. These jerseys resembled the prior design but included uniform numbers on the right chest above the logo. The name plates were also in two colored format: white on orange on the navy blue home jersey and navy blue on orange on the white road jersey. The sleeves on both jerseys were orange, with a wide navy stripe above a thin white stripe at the elbow. The jerseys had a thin stripe tracing around the shoulders, and featured "retro" laces at the neck.

A royal blue throwback design was introduced the following season as a third jersey. Before the [[2010–11 NHL season|2010–11 season]], the Islanders made this throwback design their new home jersey. A corresponding new white road jersey was unveiled during the Islanders' [[2010 NHL entry draft|draft]] party at Nassau Coliseum.<ref>{{cite web|title=New road jerseys, Islanders Masterton nominee and Calvin de Haan update|first=Katie|last=Strang|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/isles-files-1.812028/new-road-jerseys-islanders-masterton-nominee-and-calvin-de-haan-update-1.1883543|work=[[Newsday]]|date=April 27, 2010|access-date=August 7, 2011}}</ref>

For the following season, they unveiled an alternate jersey in black with grey on the shoulder yoke. The front of the jersey bore the team name above the player's number in orange with blue and white trim. The Islanders crest was placed on the shoulder yoke. Diagonal side panels, blue trimmed in orange and gray, combined with similar panels on the black pants to form a diamond shape on the sides of each player. These were only used sparing for two seasons, as they proved unpopular.

During the [[2014 NHL Stadium Series|2014 Stadium Series]], the Islanders wore a special edition jersey. The front side featured the "NY" from the primary logo in a special chrome treatment, while the back side featured a white nameplate with blue letters for player names, and bigger numbers in white trimmed in orange for visibility purposes. The sleeve numbers were also angled diagonally. The primary Islanders logo would be placed on the left shoulder within the white yoke. This jersey was promoted to an alternate third jersey in the [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15 season]], replacing the black third jersey. During that season, on February 3, 2015, the team wore an updated version of the fisherman jersey for warmups before their game against the [[Florida Panthers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/02/03/embrace-the-horror-islanders-to-bust-out-fisherman-jerseys-on-tuesday-night/|title=Embrace The Horror: Islanders To Bust Out Fisherman Jerseys On Tuesday Night|date=February 3, 2015|publisher=[[CBS]]|access-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/islanders-fisherman-jersey-will-make-a-brief-comeback-1.9794365|last=Klopsis|first=Nick|work=[[Newsday]]|access-date=February 3, 2015|title=Islanders fisherman jersey will make a brief comeback|date=January 10, 2015}}</ref>

The Islanders retired the Stadium Series third jersey after only one season, replacing it with a new black alternate that was unveiled to coincide with the team's move to Brooklyn. Unlike the previous black alternate, this version featured little blue and orange at all (these colors appear only on the rear collar), while the "NY" insignia that was carried over from the Stadium Series jersey was stripped of its chrome accents. The four narrow white stripes on the sleeves symbolize the franchise's four Stanley Cup wins.

When the NHL switched to [[Adidas]] as its uniform provider in 2017, the Islanders kept their primary jerseys mostly intact except for the restoration of the blue trim in the primary logo on the road jersey. As with all NHL teams, the Islanders only wore two jerseys for the 2017–18 season, thus retiring the all-black third jerseys.

The Islanders released a new blue third jersey for the 2018–19 season, featuring an updated "NY" insignia (shorter "Y-stick" with four orange stripes on the blade), white shoulder yoke (reminiscent of the 2014 Stadium Series alternates), the map of Long Island on the collar, and orange numbers that call back to the jerseys used during the team's inaugural season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Third Jersey|url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/fans/third-jersey|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L.P.|website=NewYorkIslanders.com|date=October 1, 2018|access-date=May 3, 2019}}</ref>

In the 2020–21 season, the Islanders released a special "Reverse Retro" alternate uniform. The uniform resembled their current home jerseys, but used the navy blue and bright orange scheme worn from 1995 to 2010.<ref>{{cite news|title=Reverse Retro alternate jerseys for all 31 teams unveiled by NHL, adidas|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-reveals-adidas-reverse-retro-jerseys/c-319633384|publisher=National Hockey League|date=December 1, 2020|access-date=December 5, 2020}}</ref> A second "Reverse Retro" uniform was released in the 2022–23 season, using the "Fisherman" uniform from 1995 to 1997 but with less teal elements and diagonal orange striping.<ref>{{cite news|title=NHL Reverse Retro jerseys for all 32 teams unveiled by adidas|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2022-adidas-nhl-reverse-retro-jerseys-reveal/c-336511528|website=NHL.com|date=October 20, 2022|access-date=October 20, 2022}}</ref>

During the [[2024 NHL Stadium Series|2024 Stadium Series]], the Islanders wore navy blue jerseys with a thick orange middle stripe. "ISLES" in navy blue letters was added within the orange stripe, as are the navy blue numbers.<ref>{{cite news|title=2024 NHL Stadium Series jerseys revealed for outdoor games |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2024-nhl-stadium-series-jerseys-revealed-for-outdoor-games|website=NHL.com|access-date=January 26, 2024}}</ref>

The Islanders reverted to wearing only their primary jerseys after [[Fanatics]] took over as the NHL uniform provider in 2024, even though it kept most aspects of Adidas' template and retained the use of third jerseys.

===Mascot and Ice Girls===
[[File:New York Islanders First Ride on LIRR (9730877303).jpg|thumb|Ice Girls at a community event in 2013]]
The Islanders' team mascot is named "[[List of NHL mascots#Sparky the Dragon|Sparky the Dragon]]", who served at one point as cross-promotion with the [[Arena Football League]]'s [[New York Dragons]] team, who also played their home games at Nassau Coliseum. In the mid-1990s, the Islanders had a mascot named "Nyisles" whose body style went from round to human-shaped, and facial features vaguely resembled the logo fisherman, excluding its red hair and beard. Nyisles was discontinued toward the end of the [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98 season]] when the team distributed "Who kidnapped Nyisles?" flyers implying the reason for his disappearance was because of another NHL mascot, ultimately revealed to be [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] mascot [[List of NHL mascots#Carlton the Bear|Carlton the Bear]]. Nyisles returned as the secondary mascot of the club with a brand new look in December 2022 to coincide with the return of the Fisherman logo on the team's reverse retro uniforms.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wright |first1=Cory |title=How Nyisles Got His Name |url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/how-nyisles-got-his-name/c-338684716 |website=NHL.com |access-date=December 28, 2022 |date=December 12, 2022}}</ref>

From the 2001–02 season to the 2014–15 season, the Islanders also had an ice crew named the "Ice Girls", made up of only women who skated onto the ice during television breaks to clean up the snow that piled up during the game. The Ice Girls were also used for promotional purposes during games and at community events. Starting in the 2015–16 season, a co-ed ice crew would replace the Ice Girls.

==Season-by-season record==
:''This is only a partial list of the last five seasons. For the full season-by-season history, see [[List of New York Islanders seasons]]''

'''''Note:''' GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against''
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="font-weight:bold; background-color:#ddd;"
| Season || GP || W || L || OTL || Pts || GF || GA || Finish || Playoffs
|-
| [[2020–21 NHL season|2020–21]] || 56 || 32 || 17 || 7 || 71 || 156 || 128 || 4th, East || Lost in Stanley Cup semifinals, 3–4 (Lightning)
|- style="background:#eee;"
| [[2021–22 NHL season|2021–22]] || 82 || 37 || 35 || 10 || 84 || 231 || 237 || 5th, Metropolitan || Did not qualify
|-
| [[2022–23 NHL season|2022–23]] || 82 || 42 || 31 || 9 || 93 || 243 || 222 || 4th, Metropolitan || Lost in first round, 2–4 ([[Carolina Hurricanes|Hurricanes]])
|- style="background:#eee;"
| [[2023–24 NHL season|2023–24]] || 82 || 39 || 27 || 16 || 94 || 246 || 263 || 3rd, Metropolitan || Lost in first round, 1–4 (Hurricanes)
|-
| [[2024–25 NHL season|2024–25]] || 82 || 35 || 35 || 12 || 82 || 224 || 260 || 6th, Metropolitan || Did not qualify
|}

==Players and personnel==
{{main|List of New York Islanders players}}

===Current roster===
{{New York Islanders roster}}

===Honored members===
{{main|List of New York Islanders award winners}}
[[File:NYI Retired Number.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Banners at Nassau Coliseum depicting retired numbers in 2007; since then, banners for Butch Goring and John Tonelli have been added.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+ style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#00468B 5px solid; border-bottom:#F26924 5px solid;" | New York Islanders retired numbers
|-
! width=40px|No.
! width=150px|Player
! width=40px|Position
! width=100px|Career
! width=150px|Date of retirement
|-
| '''5''' || [[Denis Potvin]] || [[Defenseman|D]] || 1973–1988 || February 1, 1992
|-
| '''9''' || [[Clark Gillies]] || [[Winger (ice hockey)|LW]] || 1974–1986 || December 7, 1996
|-
| '''19''' || [[Bryan Trottier]] || [[Centre (ice hockey)|C]] || 1975–1990 || October 20, 2001
|-
| '''22''' || [[Mike Bossy]] || [[Winger (ice hockey)|RW]] || 1977–1987 || March 3, 1992
|-
| '''23''' || [[Bob Nystrom]] || [[Winger (ice hockey)|RW]] || 1972–1986 || April 1, 1995
|-
| '''27''' || [[John Tonelli]] || [[Winger (ice hockey)|LW]] || 1978–1986 || February 21, 2020
|-
| '''31''' || [[Billy Smith (ice hockey)|Billy Smith]] || [[Goaltender|G]] || 1972–1989 || February 20, 1993
|-
| '''91''' || [[Butch Goring]] || [[Centre (ice hockey)|C]] || 1980–1985 || February 29, 2020
|}

Eight past Islanders have been inducted into the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] – [[Mike Bossy]], [[Clark Gillies]], [[Pat LaFontaine]], [[Roberto Luongo]], [[Denis Potvin]], [[Billy Smith (ice hockey)|Billy Smith]], [[Bryan Trottier]] and [[Pierre Turgeon]]. Bossy and Potvin were the first Islanders to be inducted, in 1991. Turgeon is the most recent Islander to be inducted, in 2023.

In addition to the eight players, two team builders have been inducted; [[Bill Torrey]] and [[Al Arbour]] were inducted in 1995 and 1996, respectively. [[Lou Lamoriello]], hired to serve as Islanders general manager in 2018, was previously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

Five of the eight Hall of Fame players (Bossy, Gillies, Potvin, Smith and Trottier), in addition to [[Bob Bourne]], have since been inducted into the Islanders' Hall of Fame, established in 2007. In February 2008, the team unveiled the Hall of Fame plaques for each player, which are displayed at the team's practice facility. In November 2011, first Islanders captain Ed Westfall was added to their Hall of Fame, followed by the addition of defenseman [[Ken Morrow]] in December 2011, right-winger [[Patrick Flatley]] ("Chairman of the Boards") in January 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://islanders.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=611174|title=Flatley to be inducted into Islanders Hall of Fame|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=January 19, 2012}}</ref> and Kenny Jonsson in February 2012. In February 2020, John Tonelli and Butch Goring were inducted into the Islanders Hall of Fame at the same time their numbers, 27 and 91 respectively, were retired by the team. [[Brent Sutter]] is scheduled to be inducted on January 18, 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=Islanders to Induct Brent Sutter into Hall of Fame |url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/islanders-to-induct-brent-sutter-into-hall-of-fame |website=NHL.com |access-date=November 15, 2024 |date=November 8, 2024}}</ref>

There are two other banners hanging with the retired numbers: one honors [[Al Arbour]] in recognition of his 1,500 games coached for the Islanders, and the other honors [[Bill Torrey]], who held the titles of general manager, vice president, president, and chairman of the board for the Islanders organization from 1972 until 1993. In place of a number, Torrey's banner features the words "The Architect" and his trademark bowtie.

The NHL retired [[Wayne Gretzky]]'s No. 99 for all its member teams at the [[50th National Hockey League All-Star Game|2000 NHL All-Star Game]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Perfect setting: Gretzky's number retired before All-Star Game |publisher=CNN Sports Illustrated. Associated Press |date=February 6, 2000 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/2000/nhl_allstar/news/2000/02/06/gretsky_99/ |access-date=June 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112022319/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/2000/nhl_allstar/news/2000/02/06/gretsky_99/ |archive-date=November 12, 2013}}</ref>

===Team captains===
The Islanders have had 15 team captains. The team's first, [[Ed Westfall]], won the [[Bill Masterton Trophy]] during his captaincy;<ref name="Westfall">{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=5692|title=Ed Westfall hockey statistics and profile|work=The Internet Hockey Database|access-date=July 19, 2009}}</ref> [[Michael Peca]], who won the [[Frank J. Selke Trophy]] after the [[2001–02 NHL season|2001–02 season]], is the only other captain to have won an award during his term.<ref name="Peca">{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=4207|title=Michael Peca hockey statistics and profile|work=The Internet Hockey Database|access-date=July 19, 2009}}</ref> The longest captaincy reign was [[Denis Potvin]]'s from 1979 through 1987, during which he played 521 regular season games.<ref name="Potvin">{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=4355|title=Denis Potvin hockey statistics and profile|work=The Internet Hockey Database|access-date=July 19, 2009}}</ref> [[Bryan McCabe]] served for the shortest length of time, a mere 56 regular season games before being traded to the [[Vancouver Canucks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/15/sports/nhl-yesterday-a-reunion-of-sorts-goes-bad.html|title=N.H.L.: YESTERDAY; A Reunion, Of Sorts, Goes Bad|last=El-Bashir|first=Tarik|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=March 15, 1998|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref><ref name="McCabe">{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=6205|title=Bryan McCabe hockey profile and statistics|work=The Internet Hockey Database|access-date=July 19, 2009}}</ref> Also traded mid-season was [[Bill Guerin]], who went to the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] during the [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09 season]].<ref name="GuerinTrade"/> The Islanders' 15th and current captain, [[Anders Lee]], was named to the position on October 4, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/lee-named-isles-captain/c-300626412|title=Islanders Name Lee Team Captain|date=October 4, 2018|access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref>

Two seasons have been played without a captain. Nobody was assigned to the position for the [[1996–97 NHL season|1996–97 season]] after previous captain [[Patrick Flatley]] was released from his contract.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/isles-buy-flatley-article-1.738039|title=Isles say buy to Flatley|last=Stephenson|first=Colin|date=July 10, 1996|work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|access-date=July 19, 2009}}</ref> The [[2000–01 NHL season|2000–01 season]] also went by without a captain after [[Kenny Jönsson|Kenny Jonsson]] stepped down from the position on November 18, 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/19/sports/nhl-roundup-nolan-sparks-san-jose-jonsson-steps-down.html|title=N.H.L.: Roundup; Nolan Sparks San Jose; Jonsson Steps Down|date=November 19, 2000|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref>

{{div col}}
* [[Ed Westfall]], 1972–1977
* [[Clark Gillies]], 1977–1979
* [[Denis Potvin]], 1979–1987
* [[Brent Sutter]], 1987–1991
* [[Patrick Flatley]], 1991–1996
* [[Bryan McCabe]], 1997–1998
* [[Trevor Linden]], 1998–1999
* [[Kenny Jönsson|Kenny Jonsson]], 1999–2000
* [[Michael Peca]], 2001–2004
* [[Alexei Yashin]], 2005–2007
* [[Bill Guerin]], 2007–2009
* [[Doug Weight]], 2009–2011
* [[Mark Streit]], 2011–2013
* [[John Tavares]], 2013–2018
* [[Anders Lee]], 2018–present
{{div col end}}

===General managers===
{{main|List of New York Islanders general managers}}
Their most recent general manager, [[Lou Lamoriello]], held the role from June 5, 2018 to April 22, 2025.<ref name="Snow and Weight">{{cite news|title=Snow and Weight Relieved of Duties|url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/snow-and-weight-relieved-of-duties/c-298943676|publisher=New York Islanders|access-date=June 5, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Islanders Statement on Lou Lamoriello |url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/islanders-statement-on-lou-lamoriello |access-date=April 22, 2025 |website=NNHL.com |date=April 22, 2025}}</ref>

===Head coaches===
{{main|List of New York Islanders head coaches}}
The current head coach of the Islanders is [[Patrick Roy]], who was named to the role on January 20, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Islanders Name Roy Head Coach |url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/islanders-name-roy-head-coach |website=NHL.com |access-date=January 21, 2024 |date=January 20, 2024}}</ref>

==Franchise records==
{{main|List of New York Islanders records}}
[[Bryan Trottier]] holds the franchise record for most points with the team (1,353), as well as most games played (1,123). Only Trottier and two others, [[Mike Bossy]] and [[Denis Potvin]] have scored over 1,000 points with the team, while six others have gained more than 500, with [[Derek King]] only one point shy. Potvin and [[Josh Bailey]] are the only other players besides Trottier to play in over 1,000 games with the team; Potvin is also the only defenseman in the top ten of the franchise scoring leaders, ranking third overall.

===Scoring leaders===
These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Regular Season – All Skaters – Career for Franchise – Career Points – NHL.com – Stats|url=https://www.nhl.com/stats/skaters?reportType=allTime&seasonFrom=19171918&seasonTo=20242025&gameType=2&playerPlayedFor=franchise.22&sort=points,goals,assists&page=0&pageSize=50|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|access-date=April 20, 2025}}</ref> Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.
* {{Color box|#CCFFCC|*|border=darkgray}} – current Islanders player
<!--PLEASE DO NOT UPDATE STATISTICS MID-SEASON, AS IT CREATES MORE PROBLEMS THAN IT SOLVES, AND WIKIPEDIA'S PURPOSE IS NOT TO PROVIDE UP-TO-THE-MINUTE STATISTICS. PLEASE SAVE THE UPDATING OF STATISTICS UNTIL THE END OF THE REGULAR SEASON AND/OR PLAYOFFS.-->

[[File:Brent Sutter - Switzerland vs. Canada, 29th April 2012-3.jpg|thumb|upright|Playing with the Islanders from 1981 to 1991, [[Brent Sutter]] is sixth in all-time franchise scoring.]]
'''''Note''''': ''Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game''
<!--PLEASE DO NOT UPDATE STATISTICS MID-SEASON, AS IT CREATES MORE PROBLEMS THAN IT SOLVES, AND WIKIPEDIA'S PURPOSE IS NOT TO PROVIDE UP-TO-THE-MINUTE STATISTICS. PLEASE SAVE THE UPDATING OF STATISTICS UNTIL THE END OF THE REGULAR SEASON AND/OR PLAYOFFS.-->
{{col-begin|width=auto}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#00468B 5px solid; border-bottom:#F26924 5px solid;"|Points
|-
! style="text-align:left;"|Player || Pos || GP || G || A || Pts || P/G
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Bryan Trottier]] || C || 1,123 || 500 || 853 || '''1,353''' || 1.20
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Mike Bossy]] || RW || 752 || 573 || 553 || '''1,126''' || 1.50
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Denis Potvin]] || D || 1,060 || 310 || 742 || '''1,052''' || .99
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Clark Gillies]] || LW || 872 || 304 || 359 || '''663''' || .76
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[John Tavares]] || C || 669 || 272 || 349 || '''621''' || .93
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Brent Sutter]] || C || 694 || 287 || 323 || '''610''' || .88
|- style=";
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Josh Bailey]] || RW || 1,057 || 184 || 396 || '''580''' || .55
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Brock Nelson]] || C || 901 || 295 || 279 || '''574''' || .64
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Pat LaFontaine]] || C || 530 || 287 || 279 || '''566''' || 1.07
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[John Tonelli]] || LW || 594 || 206 || 338 || '''544''' || .92
|}
{{col-break|gap=1em}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#00468B 5px solid; border-bottom:#F26924 5px solid;"|Goals
|-
! style="text-align:left;"|Player || Pos || G
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Mike Bossy]] || RW || 573
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Bryan Trottier]] || C || 500
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Denis Potvin]] || D || 310
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Clark Gillies]] || LW || 304
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Brock Nelson]] || C || 295
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Anders Lee]]* || LW || 289
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Brent Sutter]] || C || 287
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Pat LaFontaine]] || C || 287
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[John Tavares]] || C || 272
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Bob Bourne]] || C || 238
|}
{{col-break|gap=1em}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#00468B 5px solid; border-bottom:#F26924 5px solid;"|Assists
|-
! style="text-align:left;"|Player || Pos || A
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Bryan Trottier]] || C || 853
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Denis Potvin]] || D || 742
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Mike Bossy]] || RW || 553
|- style=";"
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Josh Bailey]] || RW || 396
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Clark Gillies]] || LW || 354
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[John Tavares]] || C || 349
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[John Tonelli]] || LW || 338
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Patrick Flatley]] || RW || 328
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Mathew Barzal]]* || C || 328
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Brent Sutter]] || C || 323
|}
{{col-end}}
<!--PLEASE DO NOT UPDATE STATISTICS MID-SEASON, AS IT CREATES MORE PROBLEMS THAN IT SOLVES, AND WIKIPEDIA'S PURPOSE IS NOT TO PROVIDE UP-TO-THE-MINUTE STATISTICS. PLEASE SAVE THE UPDATING OF STATISTICS UNTIL THE END OF THE REGULAR SEASON AND/OR PLAYOFFS.-->

===Individual records===
* Most goals in a season – [[Mike Bossy]], 69 ([[1978–79 NHL season|1978–79]])
* Most assists in a season – [[Bryan Trottier]], 87 ([[1978–79 NHL season|1978–79]])
* Most points in a season – [[Mike Bossy]], 147 ([[1981–82 NHL season|1981–82]])
* Most penalty minutes in a season – [[Brian Curran]], 356 ([[1986–87 NHL season|1986–87]])
* Most points in a season by a defenseman – [[Denis Potvin]], 101 ([[1978–79 NHL season|1978–79]])
* Most points in a season by rookie – [[Bryan Trottier]], 95 ([[1975–76 NHL season|1975–76]])
* Most wins in a season by a goaltender – [[Jaroslav Halák|Jaroslav Halak]], 38 ([[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15]])

==Television and radio==
{{main|List of New York Islanders broadcasters}}
Most Islanders games are shown locally on sports channels [[MSG Sportsnet]] and MSGSN 2. [[Brendan Burke (sportscaster)|Brendan Burke]] is the team's [[Sports commentator#Main/Play-by-play commentator|play-by-play announcer]], while former Islanders player [[Butch Goring]] is their [[Sports commentator#Analyst/Color commentator|color analyst]]. Shannon Hogan joined the broadcast team for the 2014–15 season as their studio host.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/media/shannon-hogan-to-cover-islanders-for-msg-1.9146595|title=Shannon Hogan to cover Islanders for MSG|last=Best|first=Neil|date=August 25, 2014|access-date=January 19, 2015|work=[[Newsday]]}}</ref>

Islanders' radio broadcasts originate on flagship station [[WRHU]] (88.7 FM) in [[Hempstead (village), New York|Hempstead]]. In New York City itself, most games air on [[WEPN (AM)|WEPN]], with some airing on [[WRCN-FM]] in [[Riverhead, New York|Riverhead]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/schedule/radio-schedule|title=New York Islander – Radio Schedule|website=New York Islanders}}</ref> WRHU is the student radio station of [[Hofstra University]]; its signal covers the western section of Long Island and Nassau County. WRCN serves the middle section and Suffolk County. The play-by-play is done by longtime Islanders broadcaster Chris King, and color commentary is provided by Greg Picker. Picker and Cory Wright co-host the radio pregame and intermission shows. Hofstra students provide reporting for all home games and several away games and are also involved in producing and engineering the broadcasts from on- and off-site.

In New York City itself, [[WFAN (AM)|WFAN]] picked up Islanders games from 2016–17 to 2018–19, when it shifted most of its broadcasts to internet streaming on [[Audacy]] (formerly Radio.com), which also partnered with the team on other exclusive ancillary content.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/180532/wfan-new-york-new-jersey-devils-new-york-islanders|title=WFAN/New York, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders Ink Deals To Stream Games Via Radio.com|work=All Access|access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref> Previously, public radio station [[WNYE (FM)|WNYE]] had been the main Islanders outlet for New York City and its inner suburbs.

The Islanders are unusual among professional sports teams in their use of a noncommercial radio station as its primary outlet. However, the team does not maintain a traditional radio network due to the other New York/New Jersey area teams filling the available tri-state radio stations covering sports. This causes complications with advertising and commercial breaks that do not make a traditional radio network feasible.

[[WCBS (AM)|WCBS]] began airing Islanders games starting with the 2016 playoffs, returning the team to a major market New York signal.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://islanders.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=878653 |title= WFAN And WCBS Newsradio 880 To Broadcast Islanders Playoff Games |publisher=NHL.com}}</ref> The games moved to [[WNYM]] and [[WMCA (AM)|WMCA]] in 2017 before being consolidated on WEPN in 2019.

==See also==
* [[List of New York Islanders draft picks]]
* [[List of Stanley Cup champions]]

==Notes==
{{notefoot}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |first1=Peter |last1=Botte |name-list-style=amp |first2=Alan |last2=Hahn |title=Fish Sticks: The Fall and Rise of the New York Islanders |year=2003 |publisher=Sports Publishing |location=Champaign, Illinois |isbn=1-58261-099-1|authorlink2=Alan Hahn}}
* {{Cite book |first1=Stan |last1=Fischler |name-list-style=amp |first2=Chris |last2=Botta |title=Pride and Passion: 25 Years of the New York Islanders |year=1996 |publisher=Walsworth Publishing |isbn=1-882608-13-5}}
* {{Cite book |first=Alan |last=Hahn |title=Birth of a Dynasty: The 1980 New York Islanders |year=2004 |publisher=Sports Publishing |location=Champaign, Illinois |isbn=1-58261-333-8|authorlink=Alan Hahn}}
* {{Cite book |first=Gil |last=Martin |title=Ice Wars: The Complete Story of New York's Greatest Modern Sports Rivalry | year=2016 |publisher=AuthorHouse | isbn=978-1524617523}}
* {{Cite book| first=Greg| last = Prato | title = Dynasty: The Oral History of the New York Islanders, 1972–1984 | year = 2012 | publisher = Createspace | isbn = 978-0-615-86706-9}}
* {{Cite book| first=Greg| last = Prato | title = Hapless Islanders: The Story Behind the New York Islanders' Infamous 1972-73 Season | year = 2024 | publisher = Kindle Direct | isbn = 979-8342878081}}
* {{Cite book| first = Barry | last = Wilner | title = The New York Islanders: Countdown to a Dynasty | year=1984 | publisher = Macmillan | isbn = 0-88011-211-5}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|New York Islanders}}
* {{Official website|https://www.nhl.com/islanders}}

{{New York Islanders}}
{{Navboxes|titlestyle=background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#00468B 5px solid; border-bottom:#F26924 5px solid;|list1=
{{s-start}}
{{succession box | before = [[Montreal Canadiens]] | title = [[Stanley Cup]] champions | years = [[1979–80 NHL season|1979–80]], [[1980–81 NHL season|1980–81]], [[1981–82 NHL season|1981–82]], [[1982–83 NHL season|1982–83]] | after = [[Edmonton Oilers]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{New York Islanders seasons}}
{{NHL}}
{{NYC Metro sports}}
{{New York Sports}}
}}
{{Portal bar|Ice hockey|New York City|New York (state)}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:New York Islanders| ]]
[[Category:National Hockey League teams]]
[[Category:1972 establishments in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Ice hockey clubs established in 1972]]
[[Category:Ice hockey teams in the New York metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Professional ice hockey teams in New York (state)]]
[[Category:National Hockey League in the New York metropolitan area|Islanders]]
[[Category:Metropolitan Division]]