Bryan Trottier

Trottier was brilliant in his debut with the NHL, finishing the season with league records for a rookie in assists (63) and points (95), making him a natural choice for the NHL's Calder Trophy, awarded annually to the most outstanding newcomer. Trottier's record in 1976-1977 was not quite as lustrous as in his rookie season, but it was solid nevertheless. He ended the year with 30 goals and 42 assists for a total of 72 points. He really bounced back in 1977-1978, helping to power the Islanders to a dominant position in the league. Playing in 77 games that season, Trottier compiled an enviable record of 46 goals and 77 assists for a total of 123 points.

The Islanders' winning combination had Trottier playing most of the time with Mike Bossy on the right wing and Clark Gillies on the left. The Islanders troika of Bossy, Trottier, and Gillies was by far the most dominant in the NHL since Phil Esposito had teamed Ken Hodge and Wayne Cashman for the Bruins earlier in the 1970s. During the season of 1978-1979, Trottier enjoyed what was to be his best year ever, scoring 47 goals and 87 assists for a total of 134 points, making him the league's top scorer and earning him the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player. Trottier's power scoring helped fuel the Islanders' drive to a Stanley Cup victory at the end of the 1979-1980 season. With a total of 29 points, Trottier was far and away the leading scorer in the playoffs. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most outstanding performer in NHL post-season play.