It saw the withdrawal of the "Fisherman" logo from 1995 at the start of the season and the return of the original logo.
For the third consecutive year, the Islanders failed to make the playoffs.
Captain Patrick Flatley leaves Long Island, signing with the rival New York Rangers.
Divisions: ATL – Atlantic, NE – Northeast bold – Qualified for playoffs
Win (2 points) Loss (0 points) Tie (1 point) New York's draft picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri.