Hello again and welcome to the ninth and final part of the best New York Islanders by jersey number series. The last list was numbers 77-86. That article featured some lesser known players from Islanders history including a lot of one off wearers. Players who probably wouldn’t make an all-time list under regular circumstances but make it on to this one by default. It also included no current players thanks to Lou Lamoriello and his jersey number rules. He doesn’t like high numbers on the backs of his players, he likes numbers to fall between two and 30. One exception is for goalies who can still wear numbers such as: 1, 30, 31, 35 and 40. The other exception is for players only coming up temporarily.
This list will feature much of the same from the previous one. Not a lot of well known players wore these numbers. With the exception of 91 and you don’t even have to say the name for most Islanders fans to know who you’re talking about right away. Not a lot of players have worn these numbers in general. The numbers 90, 95, 97, 98, 99 have all never been worn in Islanders history.
Best New York Islanders By Jersey Numbers: 88-96
#88- Brandon Davidson
The first player on the list is the only wearer of this number in Islander history. It comes in to form of this journeymen defenceman who played on seven different teams. When he was traded to the Islanders in February 2018, Davidson joined for the final stretch of the season, appearing in 15 games. The Islanders fell short of the playoffs and he left in free agency. In those 15 games he scored two points (one goal and one assist).
Honourable mention: None.
#89- Mike Comrie
One of two players to wear this number and the other only played 15 games for the Islanders. Comrie came over on a one year deal in free agency during the 2007 offseason. That 2007-08 season he went on to lead a bad Islanders team in scoring with just 49 points. He was then resigned to another one year deal before the trade deadline in 2008. The following season he played 41 games before being traded back to one of his former teams in the Ottawa Senators. In two years he played 117 games scoring 69 points (28 goals 41 assists).
Honourable mention: Cory Conacher (Left Wing): One season 15 games three points (one goal two assists).
#91- John Tavares
While Butch Goring may have 91 in the rafters, the real 91 was Tavares. The former number one overall pick by the Islanders in the 2009 NHL draft went on to have a great career in New York. He ranks top 10 all time in goals, assists and points for the Islanders franchise. He is an incredible player and gave the fans unforgettable memories during his time. During the 2016 playoffs he scored the game tying and game winning goals in a double overtime thriller eliminating the Florida Panthers. Winning a playoff series for the Islanders for the first time since 1993. In the 2018 offseason after stating how he wanted to be an Islander for life, he stabbed the team and fans in the back. He would be leaving the Islanders for his favorite team growing up the Toronto Maple Leafs. Fans were outraged and his return back to the Island was met by maybe the most hostel crowd reactions ever. In nine years with the team he played in 669 games scoring 621 points (272 goals 349 assists).
Honourable mention: Butch Goring (Centre): Six seasons 332 games 195 points (87 goals 108 assists).
#92: Vladimir Malakhov
The only wearer for this number, he was drafted to the Islanders in the 10th round of the 1989 NHL draft. He switched to this number when No. 23 was retired, prior to the 1994-95 season. The Russian defenceman had a few very productive seasons on the Islanders blueline in his short stint with the team. He could’ve been a cornerstone player for the franchise but he was traded to the Montreal Canadians in 1995. In three seasons with the Islanders he played in 166 games scoring 125 points (27 goals 98 assists).
Honourable mention: None.
#93: Doug Weight
The next Islanders jersey number is a special player and person. While most fans know him for his decade in the front office and behind the bench. He was a player for the Islanders before all that and the only player to wear this number. He even acted as the captain from 2009-2010 to 2010-2011. His career ended due to a lingering back injury after 19 seasons in the NHL. In his final season he won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy which is awarded to someone who demonstrates quality leadership both on and off the ice. When that happened it was immediately announced by the Islanders’ general manager, Garth Snow, that Weight would continue with the organization as an assistant coach and special assistant to the GM. He eventually took over as head coach for a couple of seasons. In three seasons he played 107 games scoring 64 points (13 goals 51 assists).
Honourable mention: None.
#94: Ryan Smyth
Acquired at the trade deadline in a 2007 push for the playoffs he wore this number and nobody else ever has. He played 18 games for the Islanders and his strong play helped the team get the eighth seed to get into the playoffs. They lost in the first round to the number one seeded Buffalo Sabers in five games. GM Garth Snow was unable to get him signed back and he joined the Colorado Avalanche that offseason. In those 18 games he put up 15 points (five goals 10 assists).
Honourable mention: None.
#96: Pierre-Marc Bouchard
Our final Islanders jersey number had a good career. The one player to wear this one, he came over to the Islanders in 2013 after a productive decade with the Minnesota Wild. He had four straight years of 40+ points in the mid-2000’s for them. He had a short stint with the Islanders as a concussion ended his brief stay after 28 games. In those 28 games he had nine points (four goals five assists).
Honourable mention: None.
In conclusion
This set of numbers was a particularly weak one in Islanders history. Not a lot of talent to be found here outside of one player. It features a lot of players who only got here because nobody else wore their number (Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Ryan Smyth, Brandon Davidson). It also includes a former coach for the Islanders who did play for the team and had a respectable NHL career (Doug Weight). Lastly, it includes one of the best players in Islanders history, someone who gave the team some great moments. However he burned his bridge with the team and its fans when he left (John Tavares). Regardless all the players on here were apart of the Islander family at some point and deserve recognition. This wraps up the best from numbers 88-96, which concludes the Islanders best players by jersey number series.
Main Photo: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
