It's hard to pinpoint exactly when the Isles' catastrophic slide began, but the 1988-89 season seems as good a place as any. Under Terry Simpson, the third-year successor to legendary coach Al Arbour, the team opened by winning only seven of its first 27 games, prompting GM Bill Torrey to bring back Arbour -- to no avail. The Isles finished tied with Quebec for the NHL's worst record (28-47-5).