Butch Goring, a four-time Stanley Cup winner, hasn’t laced up the skates for the New York Islanders since Dec. 29, 1984. But through his role as the Islanders color commentator for MSG Networks, he’s continued to not just impact the fans watching from home, but the current players donning the blue and orange.

“Throughout the years, I’ve gotten to know Butch a decent amount, and having him around is always nice,” Anders Lee told The Hockey News. “He's obviously a big part of this organization and has been for a really long time. His insight and what he brings to the table, in the booth, and what he did on the ice was really special.

Throughout the Islanders’ 50th Anniversary season, they’ve honored their legends. And on Tuesday night, before and during their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Butch Goring receives his honor.

“There's a lot of respect there right off the bat,” Lee said. “I respect what he has to say, and you're always listening to what he thinks and what's he seen and stuff like that.

“So I think it's just, it's always a pleasure to get in touch with him.”

Long Island native Kyle Palmieri told The Hockey News that his insight is valuable to everyone.

“It's always a pleasure chatting,” Palmieri said. “Sometimes it's more formal, and he's asking something, but a lot of times it's just kind of him giving his insight and just hanging out.

“So that's an opportunity for all of us, whether young guys or older guys, to learn from a guy like that and really appreciate him being around.”

Palmieri shared that his father wasn’t a huge hockey guy growing up but lived through the Dynasty days, and it’s cool that his son gets to talk with a player who played an integral role in championships.

“My dad never played hockey growing up,” Palmieri said. “I wouldn't call him much of a hockey fan until I started playing. He was 28, 29 when the Islanders started winning their cups, and that's a pretty cool, cool experience for any fan of any sport.”

For first-year Islander Hudson Fasching, Goring is easy to talk to.

“He's a hockey guy,” Fasching said. “It's good to just catch up with him. He's easy to talk to, and that makes it easy. Obviously, he's got quite a reputation behind him, and he's been a nice guy.

Zach Parise, whose late father J.P. played for the New York Islanders before Goring came aboard, said having no. 91 around is a neat thing.

“You definitely take it for granted at first, and then when you see him around all the time, you’re just more so shooting the breeze with him, you know what I mean?” Parise said. “You kind of have that different relationship than I would imagine a lot of people have, but when you have a guy who's had as much success as he had, numbers in the rafters, it's a pretty neat thing.”

Brock Nelson can see how much the organization means to Goring.

“It's pretty cool. I mean, you think about what he did for the game and for the franchise, obviously a lot of memories and part of the cups, so to see him still around and impact the game, and I think it just shows what this place meant to him,” Nelson said. “I think he's giving back and loves being around it.

“For him to have his night, kind of reverse that. The fans can show him the appreciation of what he did, and it will probably bring back a lot of memories.”

Stan's Take:

The Maven got to know Butch almost immediately after his arrival in New York following the trade from Los Angeles. An annual Islanders team dinner was held a day after he arrived, and, just by chance, Goring was seated at a table with me and my wife, Shirley. It was the start of a friendship that has lasted until this day.

On our drive home, Shirley -- very savvy about hockey -- turned to me and remarked, "Y'know, that Butch fellow really knows his stuff. I sure hope that he helps the team."

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nor1swktLCo[/embed]

At the time, we couldn't have imagined how the trade would eventually lead to the Islanders first Stanley Cup and three more thereafter. Nor could we have imagined that Butch would be a Smythe Trophy-winner nor

the ultimate warrior during the final round in 1981 against Minnesota.

I remember Butch telling me how he got hurt early in the game and then later was wounded with a severe skate cut to the face that required something like 40 stitches, not to mention the agony that went with it.

"That was as painful as it could get," Butch said, "but I wasn't going to leave the lineup -- no-how."

Nor did he and, not surprisingly, Goring became a major factor in the creation of a dynasty.

In later years -- when Butch and I were colleagues on the MSG Network telecasts -- we would drive together

from our neighboring Upper West Side Manhattan apartments to the Coliseum. For me, our conversations were like earning a Ph.D. in hockey strategy. Goring's insights into every aspect of the game were priceless.

On one occasion, I turned to Goring and said, "Butch, you are out-Mavening The Maven!" Of course, he got a kick out of that and, furthermore, he knew I was right.

For many years -- mostly in my writings but also on telecasts -- I have lobbied hard to get Goring into the Hockey Hall of Fame. And for one and only one reason: He deserves it.

This is not merely my opinion but that of many hockey historians; not to mention those who've played with and against Butch. And that includes Glenn (Chico) Resch, who was Butch's teammate on the 1979-80 edition of the Islanders and also Goring's opponent after Glenn had been traded.

"No way we would have won the Stanley Cup that first year without Butch," Resch told me. "And that goes for the other three championships as well. He was one of the best all-round players in the game. It didn't matter whether it was offense or defense, power play work or penalty-killing, Butch did it all; and did it very well. He was the ultimate 200-foot player."

When all is said and done, nobody symbolizes the Islanders culture than this man whose perseverance, determination and insights have earned him the title of Mister Islander.

And -- I certainly hope -- future Hall of 'Famer!