Top 25 players in New York Rangers history
In a couple of months, the New York Rangers will be celebrating their 100th year of existence. As one of the Original Six franchises, the team from Manhattan has been one of the most popular across the history of the NHL, winning four Stanley Cups.
Today, we look back at the names and characters that made the Ragers one of the standard bearers of the league, giving fans some memorable moments over the past century.
Honorable Mention
Wayne Gretzky (1996-1999)
He didn’t play all that long in New York, but it’s impressive to see how Gretzky was able to be a point-a-game player on a Rangers team that was pretty tough to watch for the final two years of his career. The Great One finished in the top five in league scoring in 1996-97 and 1997-98.
Jaromir Jagr (2004-2008)
I put Jagr in the same realm. He had a brief, yet surprisingly memorable run with the Rangers, but is best remembered for his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In his three-plus years in New York, he was one of the more prominent scorers in the league. During the 2005-06 campaign, he set the franchise record for the most goals (54) and points (123) in a single season.
Adam Fox (2019 to present)
While he might not have the tenure as some of his former teammates, Fox has made a name for himself as one of the best rearguards in the NHL. The 2021 Norris Trophy winner has been selected to the All-Star Game twice, as well as being named a First-Team All-Star twice.
Artemi Panarin (2019 to present)
Remember when the Rangers were going through a “rebuild?” Well, signing Artemi Panarin really changed that story. The Russian sharpshooter has been an impact player over six seasons, and only trails Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Nathan MacKinnon in points since he joined the Rangers.
25. Lorne Chabot (1926-1928)
The original goaltender for the Rangers might have only been around for two years, but Chabot made an immediate impact with a team that became one of the league’s premier franchises. In the Blueshirts’ second season, he helped the team win the franchise’s first Cup in 1928. While he went on to have a Hall of Fame career bouncing around the league, he’ll always be known as the guy who delivered the Big Apple its first championship on the ice.
24. Clint Smith (1936-1943)
A player who earned a reputation for being one of the game’s gentlemanly players in his era, Smith was a member of Rangers teams that were exceptional in the late ’30s and early ’40s. He led the team in scoring during the 1938-39 season, notching 41 points in 48 games, winning the Lady Byng as well. In the following campaign, Smith helped the team win its third Stanley Cup.
23. Walt Tkaczuk (1967-1981)
While he played in the heyday of Rod Gilbert and Jean Ratelle, Tkaczuk is remembered as being one of the most effective two-way forwards on the team for more than a decade. The German-born All-Star scored more than 60 points six times in his 13 full seasons in the NHL, all with the Rangers. His 945 games rank fifth all-time in franchise history, also sitting fifth in assists (451) and points (678).
22. Chris Kreider (2012-2025)
Up until last month, Kreider was the most-seasoned member of the current Rangers roster. There was a reason for his longevity with the team. His speed made him a viable asset in all areas of his game, and his ability to score big goals made him a fan favorite. When the Massachusetts native was traded to the Anaheim Ducks, he was third on the team in goals (326), 10th in points (582), tied for the most power-play goals (116), second in game-winning goals (50) and eighth in games played (883).
21. Gump Worsley (1952-1963)
While he might be best known for winning Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens and helping the Minnesota North Stars get off the ground, Worsley got his start with the Blueshirts and quickly became a star, winning the Calder Trophy in 1952-53. In 10 years with the Rangers, Gump was a two-time All-Star and finished third in Hart Trophy voting in 1956. He ranks third on the franchise in save percentage (.913) and saves (14,727), fourth in wins (204) and tied for fifth in shutouts (24).
20. Igor Shesterkin (2020 to present)
One of the current faces of the Rangers has earned his way onto the list by being one of the most exciting goaltenders in franchise history. Even in just a few short years with the team, the Russian backstop has established himself as one of the top masked men in the NHL. In six seasons, Sheskterin is already sixth on the franchise list in wins (162) and saves (7,439), while holding a career .917 save percentage that’s second only to Henrik Lundqvist. Shesterkin won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender in 2022.
19. Adam Graves (1991-2001)
Is he in the Hall of Fame? No. Yet, the man whose No. 9 was retired by the Rangers in 2009 will be remembered as one of the best people who ever donned the red, white and blue. He was a key part of the Rangers’ Stanley Cup win in 1994 and finished his tenure with the team fourth in goals (280) and second in shorthanded goals (16). Along with his memorable playing career, Graves was known for his work in the community, earning him the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, as well as the Ranger Fan Club’s Frank Boucher Trophy as the most popular Ranger, in 1994.
18. Chuck Rayner (1945-1953)
‘Charlie’ is often overlooked in the annals of hockey history as one of the best goaltenders of his day. It probably had something to do with playing on Ranger teams that were mediocre at best. His play during the 1949-50 season helped New York reach the Stanley Cup Final, taking the mighty Detroit Red Wings to a seven-game series before losing in overtime of the final contest. That year, Rayner, who finished with a sub-.500 record, unanimously won the Hart Trophy. In his eight years with the Rangers, Rayner won 123 games, ranking eighth all-time in franchise history.
17. Art Coulter (1936-1942)
A tough and reliable defender in his day, Coulter was a stable asset for a Rangers team that made it to the Final in 1937 and 1940. A solid two-way blueliner, Coulter was a solid puck mover in an era when few would be willing to rush the puck from the back end. The one-time Hart Trophy finalist was a three-time Second-Team All-Star as a Ranger, including the 1937-38 season, when he led the NHL with 90 penalty minutes.
16. Vic Hadfield (1961-1974)
One of the spirited leaders of some very talented Ranger teams in the ‘70s, Hadfield was a member of the Goal-A-Game (GAG) Line alongside fellow legends Rod Gilbert and Jean Ratelle, the first trio of linemates that scored 40 goals each. That came during an entertaining 1971-72 campaign, Hadfield’s first of three seasons as team captain, when he became the first Ranger to score 50 goals. It was certainly the peak for Hadfield, who ended up scoring 262 goals in his time with the Rangers, good for sixth all-time in franchise history. Hadfield’s No.11 was retired by the team in 2018.
15. Babe Pratt (1935-1942)
Before the days of Bobby Orr, there weren’t many offensively minded blueliners in the NHL. While he experienced some incredibly productive days during his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Pratt demonstrated his two-way ability in his first seven seasons with the Rangers. He was a crucial part of the team’s D-Corps during the team’s run to the Cup in 1940. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing more than 200 pounds, he was an imposing figure, but he will always be remembered for his charm and wit on and off the ice.
14. Bryan Hextall Sr. (1937-1948)
For a few years, the patriarch of the Hextall family dynasty was one of the biggest scoring threats in the NHL. He spent all 11 years of his NHL career with the Rangers, scoring at least 20 goals in all but four of them. He posted a career-high 56 points in 1941-42, leading the league in scoring. He also finished first in goals in back-to-back seasons in 1939-40 and 1940-41, helping the team bring home a title in the prior. The three-time First-Team All-Star scored the game-winning goal in overtime as the Rangers beat the Maple Leafs.
13. Ed Giacomin (1965-1975)
Few players in the history of the Rangers have embodied the city the way Giacomin did. The skillful puckhandling goalie had an edge to his game that made him a fan favorite. He helped drag the Rangers out of some rough days in the ’60s and made them contenders in the early ’70s. Along with helping win the Vezina Trophy in 1970-71, Giacomin backstopped the Rangers to the Cup Final in 1972. For four straight years, he led the league in games played, three of which saw him have the most wins in the NHL. Giacomin was so beloved by Ranger fans that when he returned to Madison Square Garden on Nov. 2, 1975, just four days after being claimed off waivers by the Red Wings, the crowd at MSG passionately cheered for him, chanting “Eddie, Eddie” throughout the game. His No. 1 was retired in 1989, making him just the second Ranger to ever receive the honor.
12. Harry Howell (1952-1969)
No Ranger has played as many games for the team as the Hamilton native. Howell played 17 years for the franchise and established himself as one of the NHL’s best defensemen. A strong presence in his own zone, Howell was never the one to shy away from physicality. He also proved to be a viable asset on the other end of the rink, hitting the 30-point mark three times with New York. His best season was in 1966-67, when he scored 40 points, finished fifth in Hart Trophy voting, and won the Norris Trophy. Howell played 1,160 games for the Blueshirts, a record that still stands today. Howell had his No. 3 retired by the organization in 2009.
11. Bun Cook (1926-1936)
Another star of the franchise who gained fame in its early years, Frederick ‘Bun’ Cook was a member of the famous Bread Line alongside Frank Boucher and Bun’s brother, Bill Cook. The line came together almost from the team’s first day, with Bun being an excellent supporting character. In his 10 years with the team, Bun scored more than 20 goals twice, achieving a career-best 42 points in the 1929-30 season. According to Hockey Reference, in era-adjusted points, Bun would be seventh all-time in team scoring with 772 points.
10. Brad Park (1968-1975)
If Bobby Orr hadn’t existed, Brad Park might be considered the best defenseman of the ‘70s. Few had the same level of toughness in his own zone and finesse on the offensive end. Along with being a key piece in the Rangers’ run to the final in 1972, Park produced an impressive 82 points during the 1973-74 season. He finished second in Norris Trophy voting six times in his career, finishing in the top five in Hart voting twice. His +178 career plus/minus is second all-time on the team behind Tkaczuk.
9. Bill Cook (1926-1937)
The other Cook on the Bread Line was considered one of the most lethal goal scorers of his day. Back when the league had 48-game regular seasons, even less in the first few years of the Rangers, Bill, who captained the Rangers for 10 seasons, managed to crack the 30-goal mark three times (which is comparable to scoring 50 goals in today’s age). The three-time First-Team All-Star led the league with 28 goals and 50 points in 1932-33. That spring, Cook made history when his game-winning goal in Game 4 of the final against the Leafs marked the first time the league championship was won in overtime.
In adjusted goals, Cook would have scored 422 goals, the most in Rangers history.
8. Andy Bathgate (1952-1964)
From his heavy shot to his scintillating skill, Andy Bathgate was a mix of class and grace during his 12 years with the Blueshirts. He attended the All-Star Game eight consecutive years, scoring 30 or more goals three times. That includes an impressive 1958-59 season when he notched a career-high 40 goals and 88 points, winning the Hart Trophy in the process. Bathgate, who captained the team from 1962-64, ranks fourth in team history in assists (457) and points (729), and fifth in goals (272). Bathgate’s No. 9 was retired alongside Graves’ in 2009.
7. Mike Richter (1989-2002)
While he might not be the greatest goaltender to ever strap on the pads, there’s no doubt Richter was one of the more clutch goaltenders of his era. Just the third American-born stopper to reach 300 wins in the NHL, Richter was the backbone for the Rangers in the memorable run to the Cup in 1994, making a couple of dandy saves on Vancouver Canucks star Pavel Bure. Ritcher spent his entire 14-year career with the Rangers, was a three-time All-Star and is second all-time in wins (301), only trailing Henrik Lundqvist. Richter’s No. 35 was retired in 2004.
6. Mark Messier (1991-1997, 2000-2004)
Some might have “Moose” a little higher on this list, but you have to remember that a lot of Messier’s success came prior to his tenure with the Blueshirts. That said, few players have had the same type of impact on a team and a city that Messier had in the Big Apple. He helped the Rangers go from a decent team to one of the best in the league, leading the club to end its 54-year championship drought in 1994. In 1991-92, he won the Ted Lindsay Award (then known as the Lester B. Pearson Award) as well as the Hart Trophy for the second time in his career. When he retired as a Ranger in 2004, the Hall of Famer finished fifth in franchise history in points (691) and eighth in goals (250). He also leads the Rangers with the most shorthanded goals (23) in a career.
Messier’s No. 11 was retired in 2006.
5. Jean Ratelle (1961-1975)
Another member of the famous GAG line, Ratelle was one of the most elegant players to ever lace up the skates. A skilled skater with exceptional vision, he was one of the most productive players of his era. In a time when scoring 100 points was an impressive feat, Ratelle did it twice. He became the first Ranger to ever hit the century mark in 1971-72, scoring 109 points in just 63 games. That season, he won the Ted Lindsay Award as well as his first of two Lady Byng Awards. Ratelle ranks second in franchise history in goals (336), and third in assists (481) and points (817). Ratelle had his No. 19 retired in 2018.
4. Henrik Lundqvist (2005-2020)
Like Messier, King Henrik was—and still is—one of the most recognizable athletes in the New York sports scene. While he came short of bringing a Cup to Manhattan, Lundqvist spent just about all of his NHL career with the Rangers (some of us tend to forget that he signed with the Washington Capitals), and holds almost every goaltending record in franchise history – wins (459), losses (310), saves (23,509), save percentage (.918), shutouts (64), among other numbers. The five-time All-Star won the Vezina Trophy in 2011-12, and had his number retired in 2022.
3. Frank Boucher (1926-1944)
If you adjusted Boucher’s numbers from his time with the Blueshirts to today’s game, he would’ve blown away the competition with 1,137 points. The orchestrator (or baker) of the famous Bread Line was an exceptional playmaker, feeding Bill and Bun with great passes throughout his tenure with the club. A winner of the Lady Byng six times, Boucher led the league in assists three times. Along with his linemates, Boucher helped the Rangers win the franchise’s first two championships in 1928 and 1933. Boucher went on to coach the Rangers to the Stanley Cup in 1940 as well, and he acted as a player-coach in 1943-44.
2. Brian Leetch (1988-2004)
After Messier, Leetch might be the second-most-notorized Ranger of the ’90s. He was a calming presence on the back end. His defensive play was none too overzealous, doing the little things right to help out his goaltenders. Along with winning the Calder Trophy in 1989, the Texas native became a big-time star in the Big Apple. He scored 102 points in 1991-92, winning his first of two Norris Trophies. He ended up winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1994 and is the franchise record-holder for assists as a Ranger with 741. Leetch is also second in points (981) and games played (1,129) with the organization. Leetch’s famed No. 2 was retired in 2008.
1. Rod Gilbert (1960-1977)
The man’s named ‘Mr. Ranger’ for a reason. The silky right winger isn’t just the best player in Rangers history, but is one of the best players to ever play in the NHL. He might never have hit the century mark in scoring, only reaching 40 goals once, but Gilbert’s consistency is what made him one of the most dangerous players in the game. His grace made him a joy to watch on any given night. The eight-time All-Star scored more than 75 points in seven of his 16 seasons in the NHL, posting a career-high 97 points twice, and became the first (and so far only) player in Rangers history to score 1,000 points with the team. He is the franchise leader in goals (406) and points (1,021). Gilbert’s No. 7 was retired in 1979, just two years after he called it a career.
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