New York Rangers’ All time starting line -up – The Hockey Writers Rangers History Lict News, Analysis & More

There have been many New York Rangers -legends since their founding in 1926 as one of the original six teams. In this exercise I will make a “starting six” from one goalkeeper, two defenders and three attackers who represent the best Rangers players in history in their respective positions.

Goalie: Henrik Lundqvist

This was essentially a struggle between Henrik Lundqvist and Mike Richter, where Lundqvist eventually won because of his sustainability and consistency. Lose in the seventh round, he became a lifelong ranger, played 887 games for them and collected a career .918 Save percentage (SV%) and 2.43 goals against average (GAA). He was a Vezina Trophy winner in 2012, a five-fold NHL All-Star, and was officially initiated into the Hall of Fame in 2023. There were several seasons in the middle of his career where he dragged almost a different mediocre team in the play-offs.

Richter, although in the course of his career he was a little more inconsistent than Lundqvist and did not set up the Sterling figures, is also a Rangers -legend. He was able to catch a Stanley Cup in 1994, an achievement that Lundqvist could not achieve.

Defensemen: Brian Leetch and Harry Howell

Brian Leetch is the obvious first choice. He is scored second in all time by a defender for the Rangers and was one of the most productive attacking defenders in the NHL history. Leetch, an elite skater with big attacking skills and vision, was an 11-way All-Star, two-time Norris Trophy winner and a Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 1994 with a spectacular play-off-out version to lead the rangers to the Stanley Cup.

Harry Howell does not have the pointed totals of other Rangers Defense Legends, players such as Brad Park or Ron Greschner. His contributions to the Rangers came through defensive bravery, elite puck-moving capacity and sustainability. Howell leads all the former and present rangers with 1,060 games played in a blues shirt uniform. He won the Norris trophy in 1967 before Bobby Orr dominated the prize for the next decade. Howell was a mainstay in the Rangers Blue Line for the 50s and 60s, and his Number retired in 2009.

Forward: Mark Messier, Rod Gilbert and Jean Ratelle

Mark Messier was only a ranger for six seasons, but his time was memorable. He was the captain all six seasons, was Above one point per game Every season, and led the Rangers to the Stanley Cup in 1994. He was a fearless leader and had so many legendary moments during the Rangers’ Cup Run of 1994, perhaps no larger than guarantee that the Rangers Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finale would win versus the New Jersey Devils.

Rod Gilbert is the leader of all time in goals and points for the Rangers, with 406 and 1,021 respectively. He played his entire career at New York, a career that included 18 years and 1,065 games. Although he has never won a Stanley Cup, he is perhaps the first really big ranger, and he was the first to retire his number, a performance that took place only two seasons after he announced his retirement.

Related: Rod Gilbert: Mr. Ranger

Jean Ratelle was one of the Most dynamic attacking players In the history of Rangers. He is a member of perhaps the most dangerous line in the history of Rangers with Rod Gilbert and Vic Hadfield. His elite-offensive production was at its peak in the mid-1970s, led by the 1971-72 season that scored 46 goals and 109 points in just 63 games.

How close are the current players?

There are a few current rangers who look at this start of six on the outside, but the reality is that nobody is very close to breaking through. Artemi Panarin actually leads all Rangers in points per match at 1.28, but he only played seven seasons in New York and has not had enough play -off success. Igor Shesterkin has set up large numbers, but, like Panarin, did not play enough seasons or did enough in the play -offs to challenge Lundqvist for his place here. Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider and Adam Fox are also somewhat close, but still a step away from the efficiency and leadership elements that the players possess above.