1988–89 New York Islanders season
The 1988–89 New York Islanders season was the 17th season for the franchise in the National Hockey League. It saw the Islanders finish in last place in the Patrick Division with a record of 28 wins, 47 losses, and 5 ties for 61 points. They missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 15 seasons.
Regular season
Final standings
Schedule and results
Playoffs
In 1988–89, the Islanders failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 1973–74 season. This broke a streak of 14 consecutive playoff appearances for the team, which included four straight Stanley Cup championships from 1980 to 1983.Player statistics
Forwards
Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points| Player | GP | G | AST | PTS | PIM |
| Pat LaFontaine | 79 | 45 | 43 | 88 | 26 |
| Brent Sutter | 77 | 29 | 34 | 63 | 77 |
| David Volek | 77 | 25 | 34 | 59 | 24 |
| Bryan Trottier | 73 | 17 | 28 | 45 | 44 |
| Mikko Mäkelä | 76 | 17 | 28 | 45 | 22 |
| Derek King | 60 | 14 | 29 | 43 | 14 |
| Alan Kerr | 71 | 20 | 18 | 38 | 144 |
| Randy Wood | 77 | 15 | 13 | 28 | 44 |
| Patrick Flatley | 41 | 10 | 15 | 25 | 31 |
| Brad Dalgarno | 55 | 11 | 10 | 21 | 86 |
| Greg Gilbert | 55 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 45 |
| Raimo Helminen | 24 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 4 |
| Tom Fitzgerald | 23 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 10 |
| Richard Kromm | 20 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 4 |
| Brad Lauer | 14 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Bob Bassen | 19 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 21 |
| Mick Vukota | 48 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 237 |
| Dale Henry | 22 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 66 |
| Bill Berg | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 |
| Mike Walsh | 13 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Mike Stevens | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 14 |
| Rob DiMaio | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 30 |
| Rod Dallman | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
Defencemen
Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points| Player | GP | G | AST | PTS | PIM |
| Gerald Diduck | 65 | 11 | 21 | 32 | 155 |
| Tomas Jonsson | 53 | 9 | 23 | 32 | 34 |
| Jeff Norton | 69 | 1 | 30 | 31 | 74 |
| Reed Larson | 33 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 35 |
| Marc Bergevin | 58 | 2 | 13 | 15 | 62 |
| Rich Pilon | 62 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 242 |
| Gary Nylund | 46 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 74 |
| Steve Konroyd | 21 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Ken Morrow | 34 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 32 |
| Wayne McBean | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| Dean Chynoweth | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 |
| Chris Pryor | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Jeff Finley | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Goaltending
Note: GP= Games played; W= Wins; L= Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against| Player | GP | W | L | T | SO | GAA |
| Kelly Hrudey | 50 | 18 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 3.92 |
| Jeff Hackett | 13 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3.53 |
| Mark Fitzpatrick | 11 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3.92 |
| Billy Smith | 17 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 4.44 |
Awards and records
- Bryan Trottier, King Clancy Memorial Trophy
- David Volek, Wing, NHL 1st All-Rookie Team
Transactions
Roster
Draft picks
New York's draft picks at the 1988 NHL Entry Draft held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec.| Round | # | Player | Nationality | College/Junior/Club Team |
| 1 | 16 | Kevin Cheveldayoff | Brandon Wheat Kings | |
| 2 | 29 | Wayne Doucet | Hamilton Steelhawks | |
| 2 | 37 | Sean LeBrun | New Westminster Bruins | |
| 3 | 58 | Danny Lorenz | Seattle Thunderbirds | |
| 4 | 79 | Andre Brassard | Trois-Rivières Draveurs | |
| 5 | 100 | Paul Rutherford | Ohio State University | |
| 6 | 111 | Pavel Gross | Sparta Prague | |
| 6 | 121 | Jason Rathbone | Brookline High School | |
| 7 | 142 | Yves Gaucher | Chicoutimi Saguenéens | |
| 8 | 163 | Marty McInnis | Milton Academy | |
| 9 | 173 | Patrick Forrest | St. Cloud State University | |
| 9 | 184 | Jeff Blumer | College of St. Thomas | |
| 10 | 205 | Jeffery Kampersal | St. John's Preparatory School | |
| 11 | 226 | Phil Neururer | Osseo Senior High School | |
| 12 | 247 | Joe Capprini | Babson College | |
| S | 21 | Doug Melnyk | Western Michigan University |