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NY Islanders // Kyle Okposo

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NY Islanders // John Tavares

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March 2015: Josh Bailey & Tyler Kennedy

So close to signing my season ticket contract for Brooklyn next season that I could cry.

#come to me

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BEST POST-EXPANSION PLAYERS - D E N I S P O T V I N

“His self-confidence matched his talent and his talent revealed itself, not only in his unsurpassable puck skills, but his ability and joyful willingness to throw his body - and his fists when necessary - at opponents with devastating effect. He had a reputation as a player you steered clear of unless you were bored with living.”

Denis Potvin played his entire career from 1973 to 1988 with the New York Islanders, with whom he won 4 Stanley Cup. Known for his grit, the Hull native was awarded the Norris Trophy 3 times, even breaking Bobby Orr’s 8-year Norris winning streak.

Named after the defenseman, the famous “Potvin Sucks!” chants at the Madison Garden are one of the oldest traditions in professional hockey history, dating back to the 1978-1979 season. Potvin had fractured Rangers’ Ulf Nilsson’s ankle with what most spectators described as a legal hit and the angry crowd started screaming his name in protest.

During the 1974-1975 season, Potvin and his team made it to semifinals against the Philadelphia Flyers. This comeback was more than spectacular considering their 60-loss season only two years earlier. It is no suprise that the man remained captain of the Islanders for 8 years, including in their dynasty years (1980-1983).