The top 5 players from each Original Six NHL franchises
By Daniel
New York Rangers — Est. 1926
The Rangers have won four Stanley Cups and seven division championships in franchise history. These are the five greatest players to ever put on the blue and red.
5. Henrik Lundqvist, G (2005-Present)
King Henry has been one of the most consistent players in franchise history. The three-time All-Star has taken home one Vezina Trophy in his career, but has finished in the top-3 in voting for the award four more times. His 329 wins and 55 shutouts are both club records and he has led the Rangers to one Eastern Conference Championship.
4. Mike Richter, G (1989-2003)
Richter owned nearly every goaltender record for the Rangers before Lundqvist came around, but has since been surpassed. Why is he ahead of Lundqvist? Because he led the Rangers to a Stanley Cup victory in 1994, a year in which he won 42 games. He was also a three-time All-Star in his career and finished in the top-8 in Vezina Trophy voting five times.
3. Rod Gilbert, RW (1960-1978)
Gilbert was the first Ranger to ever have his sweater (#7) retired and was one of New York’s first superstars of the modern era. He played in eight All-Star Games and won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 1976. Gilbert currently holds the franchise record for points (1021) and goals (406) in just 1065 career games.
2. Mark Messier, C (1991-1997)
How did Messier, one of the NHL’s all-time greatest leaders, come in above Gilbert despite playing just six years in New York? Well, he helped lift Lord Stanley’s Cup and won the Hart Memorial Trophy while playing for the Rangers. He also played in four All-Star Games while in New York and finished second in the Hart Memorial Trophy voting another time.
1. Brian Leetch, D (1987-2004)
The undisputed greatest player in New York Rangers history is defenseman Brian Leetch. He went to nine All-Star Games and won the Calder Memorial Trophy while playing for the Rangers and was one of the greatest players at his position of all-time. He won two James Norris Memorial Trophies and even took home the Conn Smythe award the year that he helped lead New York to a Stanley Cup victory. His spot atop this ranking cannot really be disputed — he was that great of a player.
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