10 greatest New York Rangers in franchise history
Few NHL franchises have a prouder history than the Broadway Blueshirts. Here are the 10 best players in New York Rangers history.
Over the years, numerous all-time greats and Hall of Fame players have spent time with the Broadway Blueshirts. Even though the New York Rangers have won merely one Stanley Cup since 1941, their fan base remains one of the NHL’s most loyal and passionate.
Founded in 1926 by George Lewis “Tex” Richard, the Blueshirts have won four Stanley Cups (1928, 1933, 1940, 1994) and have made 11 total appearances in the Stanley Cup Final. Most recently, they represented the Eastern Conference in the 2014 Final before falling to the Los Angeles Kings. The Rangers are well represented in the Hockey Hall of Fame, with 49 players and nine additional people in the builder category.
Though the Blueshirts are going through a rebuild, things are looking good on Broadway. They jumpstarted a much-needed rebuild by getting outstanding returns for Michael Grabner, Ryan McDonagh, J.T. Miller, and Rick Nash at the 2017 trade deadline. The Rangers also have a very wealthy ownership group. If they use it to their advantage, this might be a very short rebuild.
Narrowing down the list of the 10 best Rangers in franchise history was an extremely difficult task. They’ve had the honor of having nearly 50 Hall of Fame players during their history. In addition, several players probably should be in the Hall of Fame, but aren’t.
Before this list begins, let’s take a look at those who just barely missed the cut.
Honorable Mentions
Defenseman Ron Greschner played 981 games with the Rangers, just barely missing out on 1,000 games on Broadway. He served as the captain in 1986-87 and 1988-89. With 610 points, Greschner ranks seventh in franchise history.
Goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck is one of the two Rangers in history to win a Vezina Trophy (1986). He’s one of the five goalies in franchise history to pick up at least 200 wins with the Blueshirts. Hall of Fame goalie Gump Worsley warrants being mentioned as well.
Forward Jaromir Jagr had four outstanding seasons for the Rangers. He nearly made the list despite his short tenure with the Blueshirts thanks to his 1.15 points per game (a franchise record) and his outstanding 2005-06 season. Much like Jagr, Bryan Hextall had a short, but very successful, tenure with the Rangers.
Harry Howell was the last player left off the list.
Brad Park. 10. player. 95. . Defenseman. Toronto Marlboros
Brad Park has quite the fascinating legacy. On paper, he never won a Norris Trophy. However, one must consider the context of this fact. While Park never won a Norris Trophy, he finished in second place four times with the Rangers. Guess who won the Norris each time? Bobby Orr, who is widely considered the greatest defenseman in NHL history.
Park played for the Rangers from 1968 until 1976, when he was traded to the Boston Bruins. Ironically, a huge reason the Bruins wanted him so badly is because Orr’s career was cut short thanks to knee injuries.
While Park never won a Norris Trophy, he finished in second place four times with the Rangers. Guess who won the Norris each time? Bobby Orr, who is widely considered the greatest defenseman in NHL history.
Had Bobby never played in the NHL, it’s not hard to see how Park’s legacy would be changed. Suddenly, he has four Norris Trophies. At the time, Park would have been just the second Rangers defenseman to win the Norris Trophy. In 1976, he once again finished as the Norris Trophy runner-up. This time, the winner was New York Islanders defenseman Denis Potvin.
Park netted the Rangers Hall of Fame center Phil Esposito and defenseman Carol Vadnais. Esposito, even in his old age, still averaged right around a point per game for the Blueshirts over his six seasons (404 points in 422 games played) in New York.
Among Rangers defensemen with at least four seasons played with the franchise, his points per game rate of 0.81 ranks second, trailing only Brian Leetch’s (more on him later) franchise record of 0.87.
University of Wisconsin. Mike Richter. 9. player. 95. . Goaltender
Mike Richter is one of the best goaltenders in New York Rangers history. He played for the Blueshirts from 1989 to 2003, serving as their starting goalie from 1990 to 2002. Richter led the NHL in wins (42) during the 1993-94 season.
During the ensuing postseason, he had a .921 save percentage, allowing merely 2.07 goals against per game as the Rangers won their first Stanley Cup in over 50 years. Richter ranks second in most goaltending categories to a man who will get to just a little bit later.
He’ll always be known as one of the guys who helped bring the Stanley Cup back to The Big Apple
The Blueshirts likely wouldn’t have won the Stanley Cup without him. Sure, Brian Leetch had one of the most memorable postseasons of all-time. Mark Messier had a pretty great one too. But Richter rose his game to an impressive level when the Rangers desperately needed him to.
His postseason magic didn’t stop in 1994 either. Richter led the Blueshirts to the 1997 Eastern Conference Final while leading postseason goaltenders with a .932 save percentage and three shutouts.
Back in 1991, he did well against the Washington Capitals in the first round, though the Rangers eventually fell to them in six games. Eventually, Richter’s athleticism left him due to a variety of injuries and old age. He’ll always be known as one of the guys who helped bring the Stanley Cup back to The Big Apple.
Bill Cook. 8. player. 95. . Forward. Saskatoon Crescents
Bill Cook didn’t play in the NHL until he was 30 years old. However, he is still one of the greatest New York Rangers to ever put on the famous sweater. Cook was a member of the inaugural Rangers in 1926-27, leading the NHL in both goals (33) and points (37). Usually, 33-4 sounds like a dead-ball era record for a starting pitcher, but that was Cook’s goal to assist ratio. He nearly won the Hart Trophy but finished second to Montreal Canadiens defenseman Herb Gardiner.
Cook wasn’t able to repeat his rookie season in 1927-28, but he played a huge role in helping the Rangers win their first Stanley Cup. During the postseason, he had five points (two goals and three assists) in nine games.
Usually, 33-4 sounds like a dead-ball era record for a starting pitcher, but that was Cook’s goal to assist ratio.
Starting in 1930-31, Cook was named to four consecutive NHL All-Star teams (three first-team appearances and one second-team). In 1932-33, he replicated his rookie season, leading the league in both goals (28) and points (50). However, Cook also replicated his second place finish in the Hart Trophy, narrowly losing to Bruins defenseman Eddie Shore.
If you adjust for era, Cook ranks fourth all-time among Rangers players in points. Because he played so long ago, he’s often forgotten. Cook was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1952 and eventually went on to coach the Rangers for two seasons.
The reason he ranks so low on this list is because he was a late bloomer. Had Cook gotten a start to his NHL career earlier, he’d probably be higher.
7. player. 95. . Goaltender. Vastra Frolunda (Sweden). Henrik Lundqvist
Henrik Lundqvist is better known by hockey fans, especially New York Rangers fans, as “King Henrik”. He has earned that title by being arguably the best goaltender of the salary cap era (post-2005 lockout). Since Lundqvist joined the NHL at the start of the 2005-06 season, no goalie has more wins than his 431.
He is one of the two goaltenders in Rangers history to win the Vezina Trophy, doing so in 2011-12. General managers have no idea how to evaluate goalies. They’re as lost as the rest of us. The advanced numbers show Lundqvist should probably have more than one Vezina on his resume. Whether it’s goals saved above average or five-on-five save percentage, there are a variety of stats that show just how good Lundqvist is.
King Henrik is the Rangers all-time leader among goalies in games played (805), wins (431), save percentage among goalies with at least 100 appearances (.919), goals against average among goalies with at least 350 appearances (2.37), and shutouts (63).
While Lundqvist lacks a Stanley Cup (unlike Richter), that’s hardly his fault. For most of his career, the Rangers have relied on King Henrik to bail them out. And for the most part, that’s precisely what Lundqvist has done. For years, he was known as someone who consistently kept Alex Ovechkin from winning a Stanley Cup.
Lundqvist will retire as the best goaltender the New York Rangers have ever had. However, there’s not much he can do at this point to improve his legacy, short of winning a Stanley Cup. Unfortunately, the Rangers are rebuilding, so it appears Lundqvist’s legacy is set. It’s a pretty great one.
Forward. Guelph Biltmores. Andy Bathgate. 6. player. 95.
Andy Bathgate is one of the four New York Rangers in history to win the Hart Trophy. Of those to win it, he’s one of the two to spend a substantial amount of time in The Big Apple. The other is on this list a bit later.
In 1959, Bathgate won the Hart Trophy after finishing third in the league in goals (40) and points (88). The Rangers only scored 201 goals that season, so he was a part of over 40 percent of their goals that season.
Andy Bathgate is one of the four New York Rangers in history to win the Hart Trophy.
Bathgate nearly won the Art Ross as well, tying for the league lead in points in 1962 with 84. However, Bobby Hull got the award on a technicality because he had more goals than Bathgate. During his Rangers career, he was named to four All-Star teams (two first-team appearances and two second-team appearances).
He was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978 as a player. Bathgate coached in the WHA for the Vancouver Blazers in 1973-74. His number nine wasn’t retired by the Rangers until 2009. Bathgate also indirectly played a significant role in NHL history. He shot a puck that hit Montreal Canadiens legend Jacques Plante in the face. The next game, he wore a mask. That’s how the goalie mask was born.
5. player. 95. . Center. Vancouver Maroons. Frank Boucher
Frank Boucher is the second original member of the New York Rangers on this list. Along with Cook, he set the tone for the franchise. Boucher is best known for winning an eye-popping seven Lady Byng Trophies. It’s a bit surprising the NHL didn’t just decide to rename the award the “Frank Boucher Trophy”.
Boucher played for the Rangers for 13 seasons from 1926 to 1944. Boucher was named to four All-Star teams during his career. He actually came back in 1944 because the Blueshirts were so bad (and short-handed) because of World War II.
Following his playing career, which ended in 1938, Boucher coached the Rangers until 1954. The highlight of his coaching career? Leading the Blueshirts to the 1940 Stanley Cup.
He led the NHL in assists thrice in his career (1929, 1930, 1933). Boucher won two Stanley Cups for the Rangers as a player (1928, 1933). During the 1928 run, he led the postseason in goals, assists, and points. Four of his seven goals that postseason were game-winning goals.
Boucher was the Rangers’ first star player. He made the Blueshirts relevant right from the start. Boucher’s number does not hang from the rafters at Madison Square Garden, but to be fair, he did play when players didn’t wear numbers. Boucher was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958 as a player.
If you include his coaching tenure, there’s a good argument he should be in the top three. But for the purposes of this exercise, Boucher’s coaching wasn’t considered.
Center. Guelph Biltmores. Jean Ratelle. 4. player. 95.
It’s flat-out embarrassing Jean Ratelle had to wait over 20 years to have his number retired by the New York Rangers. Luckily, the number 19 was recently raised to the Madison Square Garden rafters. In all of their history, the Rangers have never had a player as graceful and classy as Ratelle, the epitome of class.
He’s a very nice guy, but he was an even better hockey player. Ratelle had one of the best seasons ever by a Ranger in 1971-72. During that season, he posted 46 goals, 63 assists, and 109 points in just 63 games. Ratelle got his first (and only) All-Star appearance (second-team), won the Lady Byng Trophy, and was voted by his peers as the most outstanding player. He finished in fourth place in the Hart Trophy voting as well.
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Ratelle ranks sixth in Rangers history in games played (861). Additionally, he ranks second in goals (336), third in assists (481), and third in points (817). Ratelle played for the Rangers from 1960 to 1976 before he was involved in the Park trade that brought Esposito to New York.
He continued his success in Boston, but deep down, Ratelle’s blood is as blue as it gets. Ratelle was basically a modern-day Frank Boucher. His 16 seasons as a Ranger is tied for fourth.
95. . Right Wing. Guelph Biltmores. Rod Gilbert. 3. player
Rod Gilbert was a part of a very potent forward line for the New York Rangers. The GAG (goal per game) line featured Gilbert, Ratelle, and Vic Hadfield. Gilbert holds the distinction of being the first Rangers player to have his number retired. His number seven was retired back in 1979. In 1982, Gilbert was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
His 18 seasons with the Rangers is the longest any player has spent with the Blueshirts. Gilbert’s 1,065 games with them rank third in franchise history, trailing only Harry Howell and Brian Leetch. He is the only Rangers player to reach the 400 goal milestone with them and leads them in career goals with 406.
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Additionally, Gilbert ranks second in assists with 741 and first in points with 1,021. To this day, he is the only player to get 1,000 points with the Rangers. Currently, Gilbert works with the Blueshirts. He makes regular appearances and helps them with their charitable endeavors.
Because of Gilbert’s position with the Rangers, he remains one of the most popular and visible players in franchise history. You can often find him around Madison Square Garden and he sure loves telling stories.
During his career, Gilbert was named to two All-Star teams and won a Masterton Award.
95. . Center. Portland Winter Hawks. Mark Messier. 2. player
Many people believe Mark Messier is the greatest player in New York Rangers history. He’s certainly in that discussion. Messier is most famous for his guarantee during the 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Rangers captain guaranteed a Game 6 win against the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Final. Not only did they win Game 6, they went on win Game 7 and the Stanley Cup as well.
Messier’s legacy is that of a champion. He’s the first player in NHL history to captain two different teams to Stanley Cup titles. Messier served as the Rangers captain from 1991 to 1997 and from 2000 to 2004. His 691 points rank fifth in franchise history and his 0.99 points per game ratio ranks eighth.
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Additionally, Messier ranks seventh in franchise history in goals (250) and sixth in assists (441). He won the Hart Trophy and Pearson Award in 1991-92. During that season, Messier got his only All-Star appearance with the New York Rangers as well.
In 2007, he was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame. His number 11 was retired by the Rangers in January of 2006. Messier has won various other awards as well, including the Lester Patrick Award (2009), John Halligan Good Guy Award (1992), Players’ Player Award (1996), Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award (1995 and 1996), and Rangers MVP (1992, 1995, and 1996).
Brian Leetch. 1. player. 95. . Defenseman. Boston College
Brian Leetch is the greatest individual player in New York Rangers history. Messier usually gets that honor thanks to his famous guarantee, but it’s important to remember several things. First of all, it’s wasn’t number 11 who won the Conn Smythe in 1994. That would be Leetch, who posted 34 points in 23 postseason games. He is well known for being the first American player to win the Conn Smythe.
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Secondly, Messier only had one award-winning season with the Rangers. Meanwhile, Leetch won two Norris Trophies (1992 and 1997). Additionally, he won a Calder Trophy after taking the NHL by storm with 23 goals and 48 assists for 71 points during the 1988-89 season.
Leetch’s 1,129 career games with the Rangers ranks second in franchise history, trailing only Harry Howell. His 981 points also rank second. Leetch finished just 19 points shy of joining Rod Gilbert as the only Rangers player to reach 1,000 in blue.
He’s also the Blueshirts’ career leader in assists (741). Leetch was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009 and his number two rose to the rafters in 2008. He won the Players’ Player Award in each of his final four seasons on Broadway.
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The debate will always rage on about who was greater in a Rangers sweater – Leetch or Messier. There’s a very strong case for both players. But that title belongs to Leetch.