27 greatest American NHL players of all-time

player. 95. <p>Mark Messier called Brian Leetch the greatest Ranger of all-time and he’s also one of the greatest American hockey player of all-time. The Hall of Famer won the Calder Trophy after scoring 23 goals and picking up 71 points in 68 games as a 20-year-old in 1988-1989.</p> <p>Three years later Leetch won his first of two Norris Trophies after he became the fifth defenseman with more than 100 points when he had 102 points. That remains the highest point total for a Norris Trophy winner since Paul Coffey’s 138 for the Edmonton Oilers in 1985-1986.</p> <p>Two seasons later Leetch, along with Messier and Mike Richter led the Blueshirts to the Stanley Cup where he became the first American to win the Conn Smythe after he had 11 goals and a league-leading 23 assists, 34 points, plus-19 and four game-winning goals.</p> <p>His 247 goals, 111 power play goals, 38 game-winning goals, 781 assists and 1,028 points rank second among American defenseman all-time and his .853 points per game is the highest among American blueliners.</p>. Defenseman. New York Rangers. Brian Leetch. 2