Top 10 New York Rangers of All Time

Today we are going to look at the top ten players in New York Rangers history. Active players are not eligible.

10) Ron Greschner

Over the course of his career, Greschner would tally four 20-goal seasons, including 27 in 1980-81, nearly unheard of for a defenseman in any era of the NHL. He held the career points record by a defenseman until Brian Leetch broke it in the late 1990s.

The Legend of Ron Greschner

9) Brad Park

Park scored 25 goals and recorded 82 points in 1973-74, both at the time club records for defensemen. Outside of Bobby Orr, Park was the best defenseman in the NHL when he was with the Rangers.

The Legend of Brad Park – Part 1

8) Mike Richter

The 1994 Stanley Cup Championship never happens without his epic game 6 performance against the Devils.  Had a spectacular 1995-96 and a brilliant 1997 playoffs in leading the Blueshirts to the conference finals. Second in franchise history with 301 wins, two-time winner of the Players’ Player award.

Mike Richter’s Most Ridiculous Saves in His Rangers Career | New York Rangers

7) Bill Cook

Cook scored the franchise’s first goal on November 16, 1926, with an inaugural 1-0 victory over the Montreal Maroons. Played on the 1928 and 1933 championship squads, getting the OT Cup-winner in ’33. Teamed with brother Bun and with center Frank Boucher to form the NHL’s most potent line combination of its time.

1933 Stanley Cup Final , Toronto Maple Leafs – New York Rangers 4 game

6) Jean Ratelle

Voted Players’ Player four straight seasons beginning with 1967-68, two-time club MVP. Third on the all-time list with 817 points, second with 336 goals. The epitome of a Ranger.

Jean Ratelle finished career sixth all-time in points

5) Eddie Giacomin

Giacomin put together four consecutive 30-win seasons from 1967-70; from 1967-71, he won 138 games, including 30 shutouts. In Eddie’s eight years as starting goalie, the team never missed the playoffs. In 1972, he led the Rangers to the Stanley Cup finals against the Boston Bruins.

Eddie Giacomin’s Acrobatics & Feistiness Made Him a New York Rangers Legend

4) Andy Bathgate

Bathgate was a Ranger his entire 12-year career, during which he played in eight NHL All-Star Games. Won the 1958-59 Hart Trophy after an 88-point season in which he scored a career-high 40 goals.

Andy Bathgate had it all: talent, toughness, looks

3) Rod Gilbert

Scored career-high 43 goals in 1971-72 when he recorded 97 points, a total matched with a 36-61-97, 1974-75 at the age of 33. The all-time franchise leader in goals (406) and points (1,021), while second in assists (615) and third in games played (1,065). Played his entire career with the Rangers, choosing to retire early in the 1977-78 season.

New York Rangers Rod Gilbert Tribute

2) Brian Leetch

In his rookie year, Leetch broke the record for most points by a rookie defenseman with 71 points, including 23 goals. That was enough to give him the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year. Leetch was the best defenseman in team history and  Holds franchise records for goals, assists, and points (240-741-981) by a defenseman.

Brian Leetch first American to win Conn Smythe

1) Mark Messier

The Captain changed the way the Rangers did business and turned the team into a contender and eventually the 1994 Stanley Cup Champions. In that 1994 championship season, he guaranteed a win against the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference finals in game 6, with the Rangers down 3-2 in the series. All he did was go out and score a hat trick. The Rangers went on to win the series in seven games. The following series against the Vancouver Canucks saw him get credit for (Brian Noonan scored it!!) the game-winning goal in Game 7, ending the Rangers’ 54-year curse.

The Captain | Mark Messier (HD)