Clemente’s Corner: The Greatest New York Rangers of All Time
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.
First Team
Goaltender: Mike Richter
Clutch between the pipes throughout his 14 seasons with the team, Richter is one of three Rangers from the 1994 team to make my starting lineup. A three-time NHL All-Star, he holds the franchise record for wins with 301. He belongs in the Hall of Fame.
Defenseman: Brian Leetch and Brad Park
Leetch, Richter’s teammate on the ’94 team, made my list. In 18 NHL seasons (17 with the Rangers), Leetch was an 11-time All-Star, won two Norris Trophies as the league’s best defenseman, was awarded a Conn Smythe Trophy as the Stanley Cup Playoff MVP and was the Calder Trophy winner as the league’s top rookie. He is one of only five NHL players to record more than 100 points in a season and one of seven to accumulate more than 1,000 points in his career.
Joining him on the blue line is Park, who played 17 NHL seasons – eight of them with the Rangers. A seven-time All-Star, Park was a premier offensive blueliner throughout the 1970s. He is ranked by some as only second to the great Bobby Orr. Although he was traded to the Boston Bruins in 1975, he is still a beloved Rangers player and one of their best defenseman.
Center: Mark Messier
One of the game’s greatest players, his legacy was cemented with the Rangers. After winning five Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers, Messier arrived in New York in 1991 and transformed the team with his leadership and clutch play. As captain, he famously guaranteed a Game 6 victory in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals against the New Jersey Devils, then delivered a hat trick in a 4-2 win to force Game 7 enroute to their first Stanley Cup in 54 years.
Left Wing: Rod Gilbert
The team’s the first true superstar and a cornerstone of the franchise starting in the 1960s. A dynamic right winger, Gilbert became the first player in team history to record 1,000 career points. He starred on the famed GAG Line (Goal-A-Game) with Vic Hadfield and Jean Ratelle and helped lead New York to the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals. Despite early career back injuries, he rebounded to become the team’s all-time leading scorer. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982, Gilbert remains one of the most beloved players in the team’s history.
Right Wing: Vic Hadfield
Hadfield was also a key figure for the Rangers during the late 1960s and early 1970s. As a powerful forward, Hadfield was the first player in franchise history to score 50 goals in a season, achieving the milestone during the 1971-72 season. Known for his leadership and work ethic, he helped lead the Rangers to the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals, forever leaving a lasting mark on the franchise.
Second Team
Goaltender: Henrik Lundqvist
Although he never won a Stanley Cup, the Swedish-born goalie joined the Rangers in 2005. He quickly became the team’s backbone, earning him the nickname “King Henrik” for his clutch performances. He won the Vezina Trophy in 2012 and led New York to the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals. He retired as the franchise’s all-time leader in wins (459), shutouts (64) and games played (887) by a goalie.
Defenseman: Ron Greschner and Harry Howell
A stalwart defenseman who spent his entire 17-season career in New York from 1974 to 1990, Greschner was both tough and a key part of the team’s power play. He played in 982 NHL games, scoring 179 goals and 431 assists for 610 points. He was also a brawler when he needed to be, compiling 1,226 career penalty minutes for the most in Rangers’ history.
Howell was a major part of the team’s blue line from 1952 to 1969. Known for his steady play, Howell combined durability with exceptional defensive skills. He won the Hart Trophy in 1967 and played in over 1,400 NHL career games, 1,160 with the Rangers.
Center: Jean Ratelle
Ratelle played for the Rangers for 15 years starting in 1960. He was a consistent scorer with a high hockey IQ. He never won a Stanley Cup but remains one of the team’s best centers ever. His numbers tell the story: Ratelle is second in team history in goals (336), third in points (817) and fourth in assists (481). His best season was the historic 1971-72 season, where Ratelle recorded 109 points in 63 games.
Left Wing: Adam Graves
A fan favorite to this day, Graves was a key member on the 1994 Stanley Cup-winning team, providing leadership on and off the ice. Graves, who like Messier had played for the Oilers, retired as one of New York’s all-time leading scorers. He is remembered all these years later for his combination of skill and dedication to the team.
Right Wing: Andy Bathgate
A dynamic winger, Bathgate was one of the most electrifying players in team history. Joining the Rangers in 1952, Bathgate quickly established himself as a top scorer, combining both speed and skill. He won the Hart Memorial Trophy in 1959. He has had a lasting impact on the team following his 10 seasons in New York despite never helping the Rangers win a Stanley Cup.
Clemente Lisi is a lifelong Rangers fan who first started collecting cards in 1986. He collects both vintage and modern with a focus on rookie cards. Follow him on X/Twitter @ClementeLisi.
Clemente Lisi is a lifelong Rangers fan who first started collecting cards in 1986. He collects both vintage and modern with a focus on rookie cards. Follow him on Twitter @ClementeLisi.
View all posts by Clemente Lisi
