Mike Bossy stands as the greatest No. 15 pick in NHL Draft history due to exceptional scoring efficiency and championship pedigree. He scored 53 goals as a rookie and never scored fewer than 38 in a season, reaching the 50-goal plateau nine times in a ten-year span. Bossy totaled 573 goals in 752 games, producing the highest goals-per-game average in NHL history at 0.762. He anchored the N ew York Islanders' dynasty with four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980–1983 and earned the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1982. Joe Sakic leads No. 15 picks in career points, while Al MacInnis and Erik Karlsson offer elite defenseman production and awards.
Bossy's career was cut short by back injuries, but his impact was seismic. Drafted by the N ew York Islanders in 1977, he wasted no time proving his worth, scoring 53 goals as a rookie (something he predicted to GM Bill Torrey) on his way to the Calder Trophy. He would never score fewer than 38 in a season, and more often than not, he eclipsed the 50-goal mark - a feat he accomplished nine times in 10 years.
His 573 goals in just 752 games give him the highest goals-per-game average in NHL history at 0.762, a stat that underscores his standing as arguably the purest finisher the league has ever seen. By comparison, Sakic, who posted an incredible 1,641 career points, ranks first in career production among all No. 15 picks. MacInnis rewrote the book on offensive defensemen with his 1,274 points and legendary slap shot. Karlsson, still active, boasts three Norris Trophies, placing him in rare company among blueliners.
Their resumes are unimpeachable - and yet Bossy's brilliance stands apart. Bossy wasn't just a scorer, though. He was a cornerstone of the Islanders' dynasty, winning four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1983, including a Conn Smythe Trophy in 1982. His blend of production, efficiency, and championship pedigree makes him not only the best Islander ever drafted but also the definitive choice as the greatest No. 15 pick in NHL history.
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