Pierre Turgeon Should Start the Next Era of Islanders’ Hall of Fame

The Hockey Hall of Fame announced its 2023 class on Wednesday, and one of its inductees is a former member of the Islanders: Pierre Turgeon. Turgeon was one of the best forwards of his era, notching 515 goals and 812 assists for 1,327 points across six franchises in 19 seasons. For four of those seasons, he was a member of the New York Islanders, enjoying some of his best years.

In four seasons on Long Island, Turgeon scored 147 goals and added 193 helpers for 340 points, won the Lady Byng Trophy in 1993 and was a face of the franchise in the early 90’s. While his latter years saw him jump in and out of the lineup, he was someone to watch whenever he was on the ice. Now, with Turgeon bound for Toronto, the Islanders’ should use his induction further their own Hall of Fame.

The Islanders’ Hall of Fame consists of 15 players, coaches, and executives that helped the Islanders to their success. 12 of its members were the core of their 80’s dynasty, while Ed Westfall, Pat Flatley, and Kenny Jonsson are their only non-dynasty inductees. Their most recent inductees, John Tonnelli and Butch Goring, earned that honor alongside their jersey retirements in 2020, but the last standalone inductee was Jonsson in 2012.

When UBS Arena opened in 2021, the Islanders placed a section devoted to their Hall of Fame by the arena’s front entrance, displaying all member’s plaques and accolades. With the team always eager to show off their alumni and history, the time is right to begin inducting players again and making Turgeon the one to start this new era.

Following his probable induction, this opens the door for several Islanders greats. Another player from his era, Pat LaFontaine, is not inducted despite being one of the best players following the dynasty. His résumé boasts 566 points in 530 games, which sits top 10 in franchise history, along with the overtime winner in 1988’s “Easter Epic.” Fellow top 10 point scorer Brent Sutter, who also contributed greatly to the team’s championships, also is not in it, despite his 287 goals and 610 points. In net, Glenn “Chico” Resch has a worthy case, winning 157 games and winning the Masterton Award in 1982.

In fact, recent years have seen new faces stake their claim to receive the honor as well, including Josh Bailey. While his time with the team may be running short, his 396 assists and 580 points both sit top 10 in team history, along with some memorable playoff moments. Thomas Greiss is also a name to consider, as he split a Jennings Trophy with Robin Lehner in 2019, sits top 10 in wins (101), and helped the team make the playoffs three times.

The likes of Mat Barzal, Anders Lee and Ilya Sorokin are on trajectory to have strong Islanders careers as well, meaning the pool of players that candidates for the Islanders’ Hall of Fame is ever-growing. While you can’t induct every single player that has donned the team’s sweater, there are quite a few people that are worthy of the honor.

As a result, with Turgeon a part of the 2023 Hockey Hall of Fame class, the time is right for the Islanders’ to increase their Hall of Fame rankings. With Turgeon going in, the Islanders can eventually induct other deserving alumni and, eventually some of this generation’s players as they continue to make their mark.