Few NHL franchises carry the history and prestige of the New York Rangers. Founded in 1926 and playing at the iconic Madison Square Garden, the Rangers have long represented both the grandeur and the grit of New York City. From the Original Six era to the present, the franchise has featured some of the game’s best players.
Ranking the greatest Rangers of all time in its centennial season is no easy task. I started watching the team in 1986, some 40 years ago, and witnessed some highs (like winning the Stanley Cup in 1994) to many lows (like this season). The team’s history spans multiple eras. Greatness can be measured in different ways. For me, it’s both about impact on the team and a mix of individual awards and defining moments.
For a franchise with four Stanley Cups and 49 Hall of Fame players, narrowing the list was easy in some ways and difficult in others. For the purposes of this month’s post, I decided to create First and Second Teams aimed at capturing what it means to have been a successful member of the Broadway Blues.
Note that I do not consider Jaromir Jagr, Eric Lindros or even Wayne Gretzky among the best players to ever don a Rangers jersey. They were all great players, but not great Rangers.
Who does rank among the very best over the course of 100 years? The First Team represents the very best at each position. These are players who defined eras and set franchise standards. The Second Team honors those who were just a tier below but remain years later foundational to the team’s identity and success.
Continue reading “Clemente’s Corner: The Greatest New York Rangers of All Time”
