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Paul Bissonnette drops savage birthday wish to 75-year-old Islander vet & social media arch-rival

Modified Oct 23, 2024 16:47 GMT

Paul Bissonnette couldn't help but troll his social media arch-rival and former hockey standout Butch Goring on Tuesday. Goring played a few seasons for the New York Islanders, a team that was held scoreless on his birthday, October 22. Bissonnette put that to good use in his savage birthday post.

"Happy birthday [Butch Goring]. Boys couldn't even put one in the net for you. Not cool. Islanders hockey," he wrote.

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Bissonnette played in the NHL for a time himself, though not as long as Goring. He spent the 2008-2014 years with the Phoenix Coyotes, which eventually became the Arizona Coyotes before folding.

These two have a history on social media. In the past, they’ve traded barbs publicly. Bissonette and Goring have had Internet beef for a while, with Bissonette repeatedly slandering the Islanders. Goring didn’t take kindly to that, and many suspected that his feelings went beyond the propped-up rivalry for television purposes.

Bissonnette tried to extend an olive branch to the Islanders in December of 2023, and Goring hit back that his goodwill would go away if and when the Islanders began losing again. Bissonnette has long been critical of the franchise.

Goring was a 16-year NHL veteran, playing for the Los Angeles Kings, Islanders and Boston Bruins. He won the Stanley Cup four times and was the 1977-1978 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner. That same year, he won the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy. In 1980-1981, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Paul Bissonnette has warning for New York team

The other New York franchise, the New York Rangers, is not off to a bad start. In fact, they're one of the NHL's best teams. Part of that is goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin's masterful work while in the middle of a contract standoff.

Paul Bissonnette warned the Rangers over Igor Shesterkin (Getty)

Paul Bissonnette had a warning for the team, though. While Shesterkin has reportedly turned down an $11 million AAV contract, Bissonnette said via Athlon Sports:

“(Shesterkin's) agent told the Rangers, 'Offer something now before the season starts, but once the season starts, we’re not negotiating.' I think if the (Rangers) get to his number (Shesterkin's preferred salary figure), that's (expletive), and they'll accept it."

Bissonnette said that at that point, he would've offered $100,000 more than what Artemi Panarin, the Rangers' highest-paid player, is making, and gotten the deal done then before the season began. Now, the Rangers are in a precarious situation with their star goalie. With every game, he gets a little closer to free agency and a massive contract.