UNIONDALE, NY - CIRCA 1980: Denis Potvin #5 of the New York Islanders skates during an NHL Hockey game circa 1980 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. Potvin playing career went from 1973-88. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Four times in the New York Islanders history they had the number one overall pick. Here’s how they panned out.
Picking first overall is both a good and a bad thing. It’s good because you’re usually getting an elite-level prospect, but at the same time, you’re in the position to take that player because you’re a God awful team.