The New York Islanders Fascinate the Hell Out of Me

It’s hard to say the New York Islanders enjoyed a particularly happy 40th birthday in 2012, but since being founded in 1972 the franchise has established one of the most varied and interesting histories in the NHL.

Since William Shea used his silver tongue to bring a second major sports team to New York, the Islanders have won four Stanley Cups, made some of the modern eras most mind boggling signings and endured a slump in the toilet that would make the mutants from Futurama feel superior.

Now the team seem to be on the rise again – and it’s really hard not to love the Islanders a little.