Maven's Memories: The Newsworthy Rich 1991-92 Campaign

Both on and off the ice, the Islanders of 1991-92 had newspaper, radio and television types at their battle stations virtually every day.
If it wasn't the selling of the franchise, it was coach Al Arbour constructing the NHL's most talkative -- and very effective, I might add -- forward line; not to mention the retirement of not one but two Hall of Fame uniforms.

By far the blockbuster headline-grabber surfaced after a long and frustrating wait; sale of the Islanders by John O. Pickett to a pair of Long Island-based investment firms.
Although sale talk had been on and off for a considerable amount of time, the official announcement was made in December 1991.
All Long Islanders, the four businessmen who would run the Nassaumen included Paul Greenwood, Ralph Palleschi, Robert Rosenthal and Stephen Walsh.
Pickett: "I expect to be a passive investor. They'll be running it."
MAVEN'S MEMORIES
WRITTEN COVERAGE
The Big Bang of 1991
The Tumultuous 1990-91 Season
Brent Sutter: Anonymous Star
Patrick Flatley: Chairman of the Boards
Maven's Haven
Each a passionate Islander fan, Steve, Bob, Ralph and Paul liked what they were getting, especially the trade that brought Pierre Turgeon from Buffalo, Steve Thomas from Chicago and Ray Ferraro from Hartford.
"We'll do whatever is necessary to give Islander fans a competitive and exciting team," said Rosenthal. "Long Island people will again be running the Islanders on a day to day basis."
Walsh cited the team's long and distinguished history as a reason for his involvement. He predicted an upward move in the standings and cited the NFL Dallas Cowboys as a model to be followed.
"The Cowboys were a great franchise that kind of lost its way," Walsh explained. "What we have here is similar to Dallas."
An upbeat media supported the changes. One reporter described the franchise as an "improving and enthusiastic young hockey club."
The twin extra-added attractions came as a gift from the American Olympic Team. The defenseman was Scott Lachance while Marty McInnis skated up front.
Lachance was plucked fourth overall in the 1991 Draft. He was big, smiled a lot and was picked directly after the Devils choice, Scott Niedermayer. Our Scott boasted an assortment of fames.
For example, his hometown was Bristol, Connecticut, home of tv giant ESPN; he grew up in a family of Islanders fans, he went to Boston College -- as did his brother Bob -- except perish the thought, Scotty rooted for the Philadelphia Flyers.
Lachance: "If you want to know the truth, it broke my heart when Bobby Nystrom scored the Cup-winner against Philly. But, as I look back now, those are great memories."

McInnis was another story; and a good one at that. He cut his puck teeth at Boston College and proved a defensively sound winger who knew where the red light button was located.
While coach Arbour figured how and where to insert the Olympians he had no doubts about the wisdom of linking Ray Ferraro at center with wingers Benoit (Call Me Benny) Hogue and Patrick (Don't Call Me Pat) Flatley.
"They talked so much," one reporter happily quipped, "they sound like three tobacco auctioneers in a bidding battle!"
Ferraro proved a much better pivot than anyone dreamed while Hogue brought speed, relentless forechecking and scoring from left wing. The irrepressible Flatley on the right side earned his title -- Chairman of the Boards.
"We blended like cream in coffee," said Flatley. "Give Ray a lot of credit for that." (The NHL gave Ferraro credit as well; Ray won an invitation to the 1992 All-Star Game in Philadelphia.)
Radar's squad had characters galore. Gargantuan defenseman Uwe Krupp raised sled dogs in his Greenlawn backyard. On ice, the German blue liner so enthralled the fans they'd yell "KRUUUUUUP" whenever he sped with the puck.
By 1992, ownership decided it was time to honor heroes past. On February 1, Denis Potvin's No. 5 was raised to the rafters and on March 3, the honor went to Mike Bossy's No. 22. All hailed the Dynasty heroes.
As one member of the management team suggested, "The ceremonies also served as a reminder to the new Islanders that a winning tradition must be maintained."
It wasn't that the Nassaumen didn't give it the good, old try. At the end of February they beat the Devils in New Jersey, 3-2, after Steve Thomas scored in regulation to tie the count and then won it in OT when Thomas put a Pierre Turgeon pass where it belonged.
Turgeon's multi-skills as a pass-disher and bullseye shot-maker had some longtime observers likening Pierre's style to legendary Hall of Famer Jean Beliveau.
Chances are this most interesting club would have made the post-season were it not for Lady Luck's disappearance from Uniondale. Like a runaway truck, the Isles posted the second-best record in the second half of the season.

Then came that big devil "BUT" slipping the magic carpet out from the Islanders very skates.
Good fortune went bye-bye during a practice when Steve Thomas fired what seemed like an ordinary slapper on net. But somehow the puck found its way to a soft spot on Glenn Healy's blocker. Ouch! And more Ouch!
Rushed to the medics, Heals learned that his right index finger had been severed. Having played the best goal of his life until then, Glenn learned that he'd be sidelined through most of March.
And so were the Islanders post-season hopes. Sidelined.
That was the bad news. The good news came in bunches and, collectively, would create a 1992-1993 scenario worthy of a sweet Disney happy ending. The leading cast of characters included the following:
* MARTY MCINNIS:In a March game against Buffalo, the young Islander missed a penalty shot but scored his first NHL goal. McInnis would become one of the more productive Young Turks for the duration.
* CLAUDE LOISELLE:Obtained from Toronto -- along with Daniel Marois -- for Ken Baumgartner and Dave McIlwain, Loiselle turned into a sweet "sleeper" as superior defensive forward and ace penalty-killer.
* PIERRE TURGEON: During a 6-2 victory in Toronto, Lucky Pierre scored his 40th goal of the season and climbed into the category of elite National Hockey League forwards.
* DEREK KING:Arbour sought the ideal center for a natural finisher like King. Radar finally found the fixer, placing Derek with playmaker Turgeon. From March on they made beautiful music together and King hit the 40-goal mark.
* MORE GOODIES:Thomas and Hogue reached the 30-goal level while Ferraro went 10-better at 40. Arbour broke Dick Irvin's record by coaching in his 1,438 NHL game. While Al was at it he also won his 700th contest.

Arbour: "From the All-Star break on, this team gained a whole lot of respect and a whole lot of confidence."
A good chunk of the improved self-esteem was enhanced by the comeback of Flatley who returned in March after three months of book-learning and tv-watching while his broken thumb healed.
While the Captain's wheels may have been a bit rusty Patrick's sense of humor remained well-oiled. After a referee refused to look at video of a disallowed goal, claiming it "did not meet the criteria," Flats delivered the perfect squelch:
"What are the criteria? When the moons of Saturn are in line?"
No question; fans loved their captain, his quips notwithstanding, and accepted a non-playoffs team with rare enthusiasm. There was a song title in mind: "Happy Days Are Here Again."
Before the curtain descended on the final home game of the season, the crowd was chanting, "NEXT YEAR! NEXT YEAR!"
They knew.
LISTS: FOUR PERSONALITIES WHO WOULD GENERATE OPTIMISM:
* DARIUS KASPARAITIS:The garrulous, hard-hitting Lithuanian would quickly become the most feared bodychecked in the NHL.
* VALDIMIR MALAKHOV:One-time captain of the Central Red Army team, the tall blue liner inspired memories of Cup hero Stefan Persson.
* HEALED HEALY:Fully recovered from his hand injury, garrulous Glenn would become the best last-line-of-defense since Bill Smith.
* GREEN BUT NOT TOO GREEN: Projected as an effective two-way center, rookie Travis Green would hone his game to sharpness in the AHL before climbing to Nassau giving Radar more strength down the middle.