The all-time New York Rangers team
The definitive all-time New York Rangers team. Definitions of ‘definitive’ may be relative.
TSN recently concluded its All-Time 7 project, a compilation of the ultimate rosters for each Canadian franchise.
Key take-aways? a) I am eating up all these sports and pop culture lists during this pandemic and b) wow, was that Leafs roster underwhelming (way to go, Howard Ballard).
Well aware I am relying on second-hand accounts and research for many of (particularly that decades-worth of pre-nascence individuals), I figured I’d have some fun putting together a NYR roster of my own, following the same criteria.
Goalies
Henrik Lundqvist: Franchise record holder for just about everything and anything goaltender-related and satisfies the ‘current Ranger’ need. Future HOFer and obvious pick.
Mike Richter: The toughest call, given Ed Giacomin and all, but it’s a sentimental pick for the previous franchise-record holder for team ‘tending records. Plus, The Save.
Defense
Brian Leetch - Jeff Beukeboom: Greatest homegrown Ranger ever and his decade-long partner in crime. Can’t break them apart.
Brad Park - Harry Howell: In a world without Bobby Orr (let’s not even pretend to dream of that), the best dman of his era (Park) and a Rangers stalwart (Howell). Classic combo of greatness.
Ron Greshner - Ryan McDonagh: Greshner’s criminally unheralded in historical hockey discussions. McD edged out Staal and Girardi in the 2010’s trifecta of excellent Rangers D due to the roundness of his game.
Forwards
Adam Graves - Mark Messier - Rod Gilbert: Batman with his Robin (do I need to explain?) with Gilbert, the leading goal and point-producer as a Ranger, flexible enough to play sniper or set-up man on this trio.
Vic Hadfield - Jean Ratelle - Jaromir Jagr: Playing with 68 requires an adequate skill level and versatility. Ratelle is all-world while Hadfield’s willingness to do the dirty work also feeds perfectly to set up the Pearson-winning, Hart-robbed Jagr of 2005–06. Maybe the true first line? Maybe I’m still sore?
Fred Cook - Frank Boucher - Andy Bathgate: Going old school, honouring Cook on a weaker left side (seriously, the Rangers RWers are crazy deep), while the foundational Boucher edges Tkaczuk (and in turn will soon be bumped by Mika Zibanejad). Bathgate elevates this line into a true scoring threat at all times.
Jan Erixon - Chris Drury - Ryan Callahan: Shifting to a modern bend, Erixon over Nemchinov was a tough pick but Jan had a greater impact on the franchise as an early European arrival. Drury’s tenure as a Ranger was mixed given the hoped for offensive output but as a checking centre? None better. Ryan Callahan personified the Tortorella-era Rangers and would be lethal on the PK.
Foundational Player
Eddie Giacomin: Eddie G. was Mr. Ranger for decades and fits in more nicely in this role than Richter or Henrik. Hard to make any list with any hope at credibility and not find a spot for him.
Coach
Lester Patrick: First coach ever, first in wins, first in Cups, and never coached anywhere else. As easy a pick as any.
GM
Emile Francis: Patrick would earn this spot, as well, but the chance to add to the team’s braintrust with Emile cannot be passed up. Great success during the 70s, where only Bobby Orr, Bernie Parent, and all-time Canadiens’ teams stood in his way to a ring.
Last Cuts
The Gump edges the Beezer based on name alone, even if his biggest successes were with Montreal. Some equally nice dmen littered the Rangers mid 70s and 80s, but some admitted recency bias gives it to the Girardi and Staal pair. The weaker left side let Kreider and Nash creep into the conversation, but CK has a chance to earn his spot on his latest contract and Nash just didn’t quite do it well enough or long enough. Tkaczuk was a tough omission but easily fits here. On the right side, after the clear top 3, there’s a half-dozen legit candidates for the next spot. I’m erring towards a balance of tenure, toughness, and talent with Tomas.
G: Gump Worsley
D: Dan Girardi, Eric Staal
LW: Steve Vickers
C: Walter Tkaczuk
RW: Tomas Sandstrom
