HFNYR Top 6 Goalies in Rangers History Preliminary Discussion Thread

[Fletch]

Beezer arguably had a better overall career, but Richter had the better overall Rangers career.

Beezer did (and was healthier), but I don't think he does as well behind that Rangers defense (compared to Florida's) in the mid-'90s and there isn't a cup with Beezer. Of course there are likely arguments on the other end. Goalie wasn't the easiest position to play for the Rangers in the '90s.

 

[The Beezer]

I've always felt Beezer was the better goalie, but Richter was the better remembered. I'll be interested in seeing if the stats back me up.

Don't forget, that not only did Richter win the cup, but he had that unbelievable run in the 96 World Cup where he pretty much carried the team to the championship versus Canada. He had a stretch there where I thought he was hands down the best goalie in the game.

When talking about Beezer, I always thought he did more with less. He carried some mediocre teams fairly deep in to the playoffs. What he and that team did in 85-86 was pretty special. The work he did in Florida with an expansion team was pretty impressive too.

Obviously I'm biased towards VBK, but deep down if I needed to win one game, I think I take Richter. I just remember that span when I thought he was the best in the world, I would actually be surprised when one got past him. I'm still sorry to this day that they couldn't make it work with both of them, so Beezer could have had his name on the cup as a Blueshirt. They were my 2 favorites.

 

[Greg02]

Don't forget, that not only did Richter win the cup, but he had that unbelievable run in the 96 World Cup where he pretty much carried the team to the championship versus Canada. He had a stretch there where I thought he was hands down the best goalie in the game.

International play doesn't count for this project, though.

 

[Crease]

International play doesn't count for this project, though.

It doesn't, though it's evidence of the player's ability around that time frame (taking into account sample size, of course). Up to you to use that for whatever it's worth.

 

[Chief]

Not that it really matters, but win % calculated by wins/games (including OT or SO win)

One suggestion for this discussion: If we're going to talk about Wins and Losses for players from different eras, then I don't think we should include the OT or SO Wins or Losses (especially the latter) but rather use "ties" for all games that were tied at the end of regulation time. Maybe the thing to do is provide for 2 sets of stats, one that include all the W's and L's (including the OT and SO W's and L's) and one that treats all ties after regulation time as Ties.

I'm not trying to create more work for people. I just think the OT and SO wins and losses unfairly impact the stats.

 

[Chief]

Don't forget, that not only did Richter win the cup, but he had that unbelievable run in the 96 World Cup where he pretty much carried the team to the championship versus Canada. He had a stretch there where I thought he was hands down the best goalie in the game.

Not to derail the discussion but NHL Network was showing the 96 World Cup over the weekend and that Canadian team that was beaten by Richter and the rest of the US team was insanely stocked with talent: Gretzky, Messier, Yzerman, Lindros, Sakic, Graves, Fleury, Scott Neidermayer, Jovocop, Coffey, Stevens, Blake, and more...Cujo was in net for Canadian team in the game I watched. Not sure if he played in all of them.

 

[Crease]

Beezer did (and was healthier), but I don't think he does as well behind that Rangers defense (compared to Florida's) in the mid-'90s and there isn't a cup with Beezer. Of course there are likely arguments on the other end. Goalie wasn't the easiest position to play for the Rangers in the '90s.

Both GMs (Vezina voting) and the PHWA (All-Star Team voting) felt Vanbiesbrouck was better than Richter in the 1993-94 regular season. And Beezer was no slouch in the playoffs either (see 1996). Can't prove it, but I think the Rangers still win the Cup if they keep Beezer and let Ricky go.

 

[Chief]

I would appreciate it if anyone could provide info on the goalies before Giacomin and Villemure.

 

[Crease]

I would appreciate it if anyone could provide info on the goalies before Giacomin and Villemure.

Planning on putting together bios for the pre-WWII guys this week. If it makes you feel any better, I know almost next to nothing about them at this point

 

[Thirty One]

If the average goalie gives up 120 goals and I give up 100, that would have a value of 20, same as if the average goalie gives up 520 goals and I gave up 500, right?

OK, I see what you mean. Yes, it's slightly skewed that way.

 

[Zil]

Worsley played on such awful Rangers teams that it's hard to evaluate him since we have no save percentages from that era. What happened to his GA versus league average when he went to Montreal?

 

[Thirty One]

Worsley played on such awful Rangers teams that it's hard to evaluate him since we have no save percentages from that era. What happened to his GA versus league average when he went to Montreal?

It's kind of odd. He was a negative three of seven seasons, but had huge positive seasons:

-1.65
-1.55
31.43
-3.19
28.43
19.73
2.50

 

[bernmeister]

I've always felt Beezer was the better goalie, but Richter was the better remembered. I'll be interested in seeing if the stats back me up.

I get the feeling that was true, but I'm too tired atm to remember it clearly; still, what I am getting is Richter was more consistent across the board.

Richter's candle burned more evenly, more often, and (comparatively) slightly brighter on average (across the board).
But Beez was both at his Zenith, brighter still, and faded faster at the end.

It's just an impression.
Stat guys, feel free to support/correct me on that one.

 

[bernmeister]

Both GMs (Vezina voting) and the PHWA (All-Star Team voting) felt Vanbiesbrouck was better than Richter in the 1993-94 regular season. And Beezer was no slouch in the playoffs either (see 1996). Can't prove it, but I think the Rangers still win the Cup if they keep Beezer and let Ricky go.

At that point in time, seemed to be like Villemure + Giacomin, though perhaps not as friendly on the surface.

Both were good enough to do the job.
Would have depended on if he was hot enough on those nights to meet/exceed Richter.

Richter is a little younger, right?
That was why the handoff, I think.

 

[bernmeister]

I would appreciate it if anyone could provide info on the goalies before Giacomin and Villemure.

I started around '67-'68.
Giacomin was there by then. Starting, most games

Before Gilles, I remember Terry Sawchuk for a year.
Have a hazy memory of Gump Worsley for us, sans mask, a game or 2, later with mask, not for us.

 

[bernmeister]

When all is said and done, I'd like to see what Dan Blackburn's #s look like.

I know he can be nominated with min of 1 game as NYR, but I'm sure there are more worthy finalists.

However, depending upon his numbers, I may wish to request/nominate special 'honorable mention' award for him. Thought he would have done well if not injured.

 

[mike14]

One suggestion for this discussion: If we're going to talk about Wins and Losses for players from different eras, then I don't think we should include the OT or SO Wins or Losses (especially the latter) but rather use "ties" for all games that were tied at the end of regulation time. Maybe the thing to do is provide for 2 sets of stats, one that include all the W's and L's (including the OT and SO W's and L's) and one that treats all ties after regulation time as Ties.

I'm not trying to create more work for people. I just think the OT and SO wins and losses unfairly impact the stats.

OT was introduced for 83-84. I can't get box scores for 83-84 to 86-87 so I haven't adjusted Vanbiesbrooks stats, only Richter and Hank.

Richter had 32 OT wins so if you take them out he had 269 wins at 0.403

Hank has had 69 OT/SO wins so he goes down to 240 wins at 0.418

 

[Gardner McKay]

Both GMs (Vezina voting) and the PHWA (All-Star Team voting) felt Vanbiesbrouck was better than Richter in the 1993-94 regular season. And Beezer was no slouch in the playoffs either (see 1996). Can't prove it, but I think the Rangers still win the Cup if they keep Beezer and let Ricky go.

I do as well. I think Beezer was better overall but Richter was more of a big game player.

 

[Gardner McKay]

When all is said and done, I'd like to see what Dan Blackburn's #s look like.

I know he can be nominated with min of 1 game as NYR, but I'm sure there are more worthy finalists.

However, depending upon his numbers, I may wish to request/nominate special 'honorable mention' award for him. Thought he would have done well if not injured.

I agree with you Bern! I don't think Dan would have been a top tier goaltender but more of a middle road type guy like Craford, Niemi, Halak, Elliot, Mason, etc. Still would have been good enough for me.

*Edit: Just looking through some other stats. I was shocked that Mike Dunham only had 35 wins as a Ranger.

 

[Crease]

Lorne "Gump" Worsley

Stats

Regular Season
[table="head;title=list"]Year|GP|Save%|League Average Save%|League Rank|GAA|League Average GAA|League Rank
1953 | 50 GP | | | | 3.06 GAA | 2.41 GAA | 6/6
1954 | | | | | | |
1955 | 65 GP | 0.916% | 0.916% | 4/6 | 3.03 GAA | 2.50 GAA | 5/6
1956 | 70 GP | 0.922% | 0.917% | T2/6 | 2.83 GAA | 2.50 GAA | 5/6
1957 | 68 GP | 0.907% | 0.914% | 4/6 | 3.18 GAA | 2.61 GAA | 6/6
1958 | 37 GP | 0.928% | 0.911% | 1/7 | 2.32 GAA | 2.70 GAA | 2/7
1959 | 67 GP | 0.907% | 0.906% | 3/7 | 2.97 GAA | 2.86 GAA | T3/7
1960 | 39 GP | 0.893% | 0.908% | 6/6 | 3.52 GAA | 2.91 GAA | 6/6
1961 | 59 GP | 0.912% | 0.908% | 4/8 | 3.30 GAA | 2.92 GAA | 7/8
1962 | 60 GP | 0.913% | 0.907% | T3/6 | 2.92 GAA | 2.99 GAA | 4/6
1963 | 67 GP | 0.914% | 0.910% | T2/6 | 3.27 GAA | 2.89 GAA | 5/6
[/table]

Postseason
[table="head;title=list"]Year|GP|GAA|League Average GAA|League Rank
1956 | 3 GP | 4.67 GAA | 3.27 GAA | 5/5
1957 | 5 GP | 3.99 GAA | 2.89 GAA | 4/4
1958 | 6 GP | 4.60 GAA | 3.66 GAA | 4/5
1962 | 6 GP | 3.28 GAA | 2.80 GAA | 5/5
[/table]


Awards Recognition

Calder 1st Place (1953)

Hart

• 3rd Place (1956), behind Jean Beliveau and Tod Sloan
• 7th Place (1963)
• 9th Place (1961)

All-Star Teams

• 3rd Place (1956), behind Jacques Plante and Glenn Hall
• 3rd Place (1961), behind Johnny Bower and Glenn Hall

Rangers MVP

• 1961
• 1963

The Montreal, Quebec native was born May 14, 1929. Worsley played his first professional season in 1949-50 with the New York Rovers of the now-defunct Eastern Hockey League, and promptly led his team to a first place finish, winning a berth on the First All-Star Team in the process. In 1950-51, Gump moved to the New York Rangers' USHL affiliate, the St. Paul Saints. There, he collected a carload of awards — Rookie of the Year, Top Goaltender and selection to the First All-Star Team.

Still waiting for a chance at a spot in the NHL, Worsley played with the Pacific Coast Hockey League's Saskatoon Quakers in 1951-52, where he was named to the Second All-Star Team.

Although he started the 1952-53 season in Saskatoon, an injury to Rangers' regular Charlie Rayner earned Worsley a call and a spot between the pipes for the New York Rangers. The Rangers finished last that season, but Gump so impressed the NHL that he was chosen the Calder Trophy winner as NHL Rookie of the Year.

The story of his career was "struggled in New York, succeeded in Montreal"

1957

Coach Phil Watson Tuesday pinned the Stanley Cup hopes of the New York Rangers on Lorne (Gump) Worsley, the stubby goaltender he blasted only two weeks ago as a "beer belly" and a "fat boy." The volatile Watson predicted the Rangers will win the cup if "Worsley plays like he can and should."

"The way we're going now, we can win the cup. But Gump's our key man. If he isn't hot, we're dead." Although the Ranger roster is clear of injuries, coach Watson appears to have prescribed some psychological needling to keep his players on their toes. Two weeks ago he roasted Worsley when the last-place Chicago Blackhawks tied the Rangers in Chicago 6-6. Muttering "beer belly" and "fat boy," the New York coach charged his goalie was five pounds over his playing weight of 165. Worsley, who stands five-feet-seven, retorted that Watson was "full of old rope." Nevertheless, in the five Ranger games since Watson's blowoff, Worsley has allowed only seven goals.

1960

You could almost say that Gump Worsley loves being in the doughouse. That seems to be his formula for success as a goalkeeper with the New York Rangers of the NHL. Certainly the most controversial and colorful netminder in the game, rollicking Gump has had would-be successors breathing down his neck for years while he takes time out to feud with team officials. This has been going on since he went to the Rangers from Saskatoon of the Western Hockey League in the 1952-53 season. He has shucked off four pretenders to the Rangers goalkeeping job since then although the 31-year-old Gump has been blithely jumping around between the major and minor leagues.

This year, despite vigorous protests from Worsley, team officials decided that Gump and McCartan would alternate in the nets. The feud spilled into the public prints last week when Worsley said general manager Muzz Patrick made him play although he had a sore back. Patrick said there was nothing wrong with him. Worsley was in the doughouse this week when it was announced that McCartan would play with Kitchener Waterloo of the Eastern Professional Hockey League. "He needs regular work and he is not getting it here," said Patrick. "All he lacks is experience to become a big league goalie." Rangers officials have been saying this sort of thing for years since Worsley first joined the club.

1962

New York Rangers, spurred by a magnificent goal-tending performance by Gump Worsley, snapped a 10-game National Hockey League losing string Wednesday night with a 5-0 victory over Boston's last-place Bruins. It was the Rangers' first victory since Jan. 1 and their first on home ice since Dec. 12. They were within one defeat of tying the club record for consecutive losses, established in 1943-44.

At New York, although the score wouldn't indicate it, the Rangers were badly outshot and outskated in the first two periods. With Worsley refusing to give ground, however, New York established a 4-0 lead at the end of the middle session. During the first 40 minutes Worsley made 28 saves, many of them spectacular. Boston's Bruce Gamble made only 11 in the same period. Worsley finished 40 saves and his second shutout of the season. On a breakaway by Jerry Toppazzini, Worsley charged from the cage, made a diving stop and was kicked in the head. Play was halted for three minutes while smelling salts were administered. Worsley's best performance was midway through the final period when the Bruins held a two-man advantage for a minute and 54 seconds. The trio of Doug Harvey, Dean Prentice, and Al Langlois in front of him provided the Rangers with their best skating of the evening.

Goalie Lorne (Gump) Worsley is happy with the new deal he is getting with the New York Rangers, and the way he is playing lately the Rangers have every reason to be even happier.

The Gumper has been a one man fort and a hero in the Rangers' Stanley cup semifinal hockey series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Friday night, he pulled out all the stops in a performance that had everyone gasping. He made 56 saves, many spectacular. It was in vain, as the Rangers lost 3-2, in two overtimes to the Leafs, who hold a 3-2 lead in the best of seven series going into the sixth game here Saturday night.

Gump's a lot happier now than in the old days when he and Coach Phil Watson, had a running feud, often because Watson thought Worsley was too pudgy. He didn't mention Watson by name, but said in an interview: "It's like the difference between night and day now that Doug's here. It's a pleasure to play now." He was referring to Doug Harvey, the long time Montreal defenseman who this year took over the coaching job at New York.

"Doug explains things to you. He doesn't just blast you off your feet," said Gump. And, said the stocky goaltender, there's no criticism of his weight now. Worsley is 5 feet 7 and his playing weight is 175 pounds. By the time his pads add a few inches around him, he looks like a roly-poly dwarf on the ice next to his big teammates. But he's moving well and Harvey has no complaints.

Obituary

In later years, Worsley hardly followed the N.H.L., saying, “I don’t like the style: shoot it in and chase it.†But he loved to tell stories about his playing days, especially with the lowly Rangers. Once, when he was playing for them, he was asked which team was toughest for him. He had a quick answer.

“The Rangers,†he said.

 

[Fletch]

what a different time...goalie kicked in head, play stops so smelling salts can be administered....and he goes on to finish the game.

 

[Crease]

Eddie Giacomin

Stats

Regular Season
[table="head;title=list"]Year|GP|Save%|League Average Save%|League Rank|GAA|League Average GAA|League Rank
1966 | 35 | 0.883% | 0.908% | 6/6 | 3.68 GAA | 2.90 GAA | 6/6
1967 | 68 | 0.917% | 0.909% | 5/8 | 2.61 GAA | 2.82 GAA | 4/8
1968 | 66 | 0.915% | 0.913% | 6/16 | 2.44 GAA | 2.64 GAA | 5/16
1969 | 70 | 0.912% | 0.912% | T6/14 | 2.55 GAA | 2.83 GAA | 5/14
1970 | 70 | 0.917% | 0.914% | 6/14 | 2.36 GAA | 2.81 GAA | 3/14
1971 | 45 | 0.921% | 0.907% | 2/20 | 2.16 GAA | 2.95 GAA | 2/20
1972 | 44 | 0.900% | 0.909% | 11/17 | 2.70 GAA | 2.78 GAA | 9/17
1973 | 43 | 0.899% | 0.900% | 13/21 | 2.91 GAA | 3.12 GAA | T11/21
1974 | 56 | 0.890% | 0.898% | 14/19 | 3.07 GAA | 3.12 GAA | T8/19
1975 | 37 | 0.870% | 0.890% | 14/25 | 3.48 GAA | 3.46 GAA | 14/25
[/table]

Postseason
[table="head;title=list"]Year|GP|Save%|League Average Save%|League Rank|GAA|League Average GAA|League Rank
1967 | 4 | | | | 3.41 GAA | 2.51 GAA | 7/7
1968 | 6 | 0.911% | 0.908% | 6/12 | 3.00 GAA | 2.95 GAA | 7/12
1969 | 3 | 0.853% | 0.900% | 13/13 | 3.33 GAA | 3.04 GAA | 9/13
1970 | 5 | 0.858% | 0.895% | 14/15 | 4.07 GAA | 3.38 GAA | 11/15
1971 | 12 | 0.913% | 0.883% | 5/14 | 2.21 GAA | 3.57 GAA | 2/14
1972 | 10 | 0.894% | 0.902% | 10/16 | 2.70 GAA | 3.47 GAA | 6/16
1973 | 10 | 0.903% | 0.885% | 6/16 | 2.56 GAA | 3.92 GAA | 3/16
1974 | 13 | 0.895% | 0.898% | 8/12 | 2.82 GAA | 3.11 GAA | 5/12
1975 | 2 | 0.889% | 0.889% | 10/19 | 2.76 GAA | 3.31 GAA | 7/19
[/table]


Awards Recognition

Hart

• 2nd Place (1967), behind Stan Mikita, ahead of Bobby Hull
• 7th Place (1968)
• 7th Place (1969)
• T-8th Place (1971)

All-Star Teams

• 1st Team (1967), ahead of Glenn Hall and Denis Dejordy
• 2nd Team (1968), behind Gump Worsley, ahead of Johnny Bower
• 2nd Team (1969), behind Glenn Hall, ahead of Jacques Plante
• 2nd Team (1970), behind Tony Esposito, ahead of Jacques Plante
• 1st Team (1971), ahead of Jaques Plante and Tony Esposito

Rangers MVP

• 1967
• 1969
• 1971

Eddie was born and raised in Sudbury Ontario, where he and his older brother shared one set of goaltending equipment. The older brother had opportunities to play in the minor leagues, but never left Sudbury. In fact Eddie's first pro experience came as a result of his older brother not being able to get time off of work to fill in as an emergency goalie for the EAHL's Washington Eagles. Eddie went instead, and he played extremely well. He went 4-0 with 13 goals against.

That caught the eyes of some of the professional teams. The Providence Reds of the AHL signed him up, but sent him to their farm teams in the EAHL for the first year. By 1960-61 Eddie embarked upon a long career with the AHL Reds. He was the workhorse puck stopper for the Reds until 1965. He played admirably and that caught the attention of the NHL. Reportedly the Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings and the Rangers were all after the services of Giacomin. The Rangers won out, by sending 4 players to the Reds - Marcel Paille, Aldo Guidolin, Buzz Deschamps and Jim Mikol.

Long time Ranger followers insist that other than the 1994 Stanley Cup victory, there was never a more intensely moving night as November 2, 1975 - the night Eddie came home.

1967

"He needed a lot of work," says Francis, "but his hands and legs were so quick that I was sure he could use them to overcome these errors." Giacomin was aware, however, that he didn't have time to get that experience in games. He had to learn very fast, and the only way to learn fast enough was to take a gamble that few goalies would ever try. "I told all the guys—even The Boomer—to go all-out and fire their best shots at me in practice," he says. "After all, if I don't practice stopping Gilbert or The Boomer how am I going to expect to stop Bobby Hull?"

On Nov. 30 in Chicago, Hull himself took a pass at the blue line, faked once and rushed at the goal. From just 12 feet in front of Giacomin he fired the hardest wrist shot in hockey. Giacomin dived sideways and the puck skidded off his pads and out of trouble. He went on to shut out the Black Hawks 5-0 in what he feels was his most satisfying game of the season.

Things have been going well ever since for Giacomin and all the amazing Rangers. Eddie has become a sound, dependable goaltender and, for the first season in his career, he has been lucky, too. While bouncing pucks skid by opposing goalies they always seem to bounce up into Eddie's glove.

1971

Rather than blame Giacomin for this annual collapse, most hockey people have pointed their fickle fingers at Francis for stubbornly insisting that one goalie can play an entire NHL schedule. The 1964 rule requiring two goalies was not an idle whim of the lawgivers. When expansion introduced the jet plane and coast-to-coast travel to hockey, the two-goalie system became a physical necessity. Every divisional champion and all the Stanley Cup winners over the last three years have rotated two and, in the case of the St. Louis Blues, even three goaltenders during the season.

Regardless of whether he is scheduled to play or merely to watch, Giacomin, who, like all goalies, is very superstitious, always takes the first warmup in the pre-game skate. "Frank Paice [the Rangers' trainer] gives me a puck, and I'm always the first one on the ice," Ed says. "I start the players skating counterclockwise, then yell, 'The other way,' and we all go clockwise." Giacomin drops the puck from his glove, and Bob Nevin, the Ranger captain, controls it first. "None of the other players know that Nevvy and I have this thing about the puck," Giacomin says. "I've seen Nevvy lift other players' sticks just so he can control the puck before anyone else."

Rod Seiling, a Ranger defenseman, always takes the first practice shot at Giacomin. "Rod doesn't know it, but 90% of the time he tries to shoot the puck through my pads." If Giacomin is scheduled to play the game, then he warms up for about eight minutes. If Villemure is to start, then Eddie will leave the cage after about four minutes. "It will always be this way as long as I'm with the Rangers," he says.

1974

Instead of brawling and marauding, the Flyers wore down the Rangers with relentless forechecking over the first two periods as they took a 3-1 lead, and then relied on Bernie Parent's superior goaltending when the Rangers became aroused in the third period. Until then Parent was practically a spectator as the Flyers blitzed Ranger Goalie Eddie Giacomin, with about half of their shots labeled goal. But Giacomin, playing his finest cup series, repeatedly stymied the Flyer shooters with one acrobatic save after another. If Giacomin had not performed sensationally the Flyers would have had a rout after two periods instead of a 3-1 lead. "He kept us alive," said Defense-man Rod Seiling.

Reflecting Back

"When I went to a fan function (in New York), I was the first one there and the last to leave. I really loved being a Ranger and being in New York. I guess it showed," he admitted. "It's hard for me even today to sign Detroit Red Wings' hockey cards. It isn't natural because I never felt like I was a Red Wing."

 

[Crease]

Dave Kerr

Stats

Regular Season
[table="head;title=list"]Year|GP|GAA|League Average GAA|League Rank
1935 | 37 GP | 2.46 GAA | 2.41 GAA | 5/8
1936 | 47 GP | 1.91 GAA | 2.09 GAA | 4/6
1937 | 48 GP | 2.11 GAA | 2.43 GAA | 2/10
1938 | 48 GP | 1.95 GAA | 2.44 GAA | 2/8
1939 | 48 GP | 2.12 GAA | 2.45 GAA | 2/8
1940 | 48 GP | 1.54 GAA | 2.46 GAA | 1/8
1941 | 48 GP | 2.49 GAA | 2.57 GAA | 5/8
[/table]

Postseason
[table="head;title=list"]Year|GP|GAA|League Average GAA|League Rank
1935 | 4 GP | 2.50 GAA | 1.70 GAA | 5/6
1937 | 9 GP | 1.08 GAA | 2.14 GAA | 1/8
1938 | 3 GP | 1.83 GAA | 2.24 GAA | 6/8
1939 | 1 GP | 1.01 GAA | 2.13 GAA | 1/8
1940 | 12 GP | 1.56 GAA | 2.36 GAA | 1/8
1941 | 3 GP | 1.88 GAA | 2.08 GAA | 1/8
[/table]


Awards Recognition

Hart None

All-Star Teams

• 2nd Team (1938), behind Tiny Thompson, ahead of Wilf Cude
• 3rd Place (1939) behind Frank Brimsek and Earl Robertson
• 1st Team (1940), ahead of Frank Brimsek and Earl Robertson

Rangers MVP Established 1942

After bouncing around with the Montreal Maroons and New York Americans and several senior league circuits where he established his reputation, Davey Kerr gained fame when he joined the New York Rangers in 1934. In Manhattan he became one of the league's best netminders until his retirement in 1941.

Kerr was a late bloomer with an all-time high peak and an abrupt finish to his career (a la Timmy Thomas). He retired at the age of 30.

Style

The Toronto born Kerr was extremely popular with the fans, in part because he was as agile as a ballet dancer. He loved to do the splits to take away the entire lower part of the net. In practice one of Davey's favorite maneuvers was to lay his stick across the goal mouth in front of the goal line while he did the splits to take away the lower portion. Then he'd have both hands free to catch his teammates practice shots. He would dare his buddies to beat him, and they rarely did.

Leadership

Davey was very vocal in the nets, often instructing his team, almost acting as an on-ice coach.

"In a commanding way, Davey was able to shout at his defensemen, giving them guidance without offending them and getting them to do the job he wanted done in front of him, talking continually when the puck was in our end. I don't ever remember Dave accusing a defense player for a mistake when a goals was scored against him. He always assumed the blame," said Boucher.

Peak

His best season was the 1939-40 campaign. He won his only Vezina Trophy as the league's top goalie with a 1.54 GAA and a league leading 8 shutouts. Then in the playoffs he was spectacular in leading the Rangers to their now-famous 1940 Stanley Cup championship. He was also named to the First All Star Team that year.

Statistically, Kerr's 1939-40 season is one of the great goalie seasons of all time. A 1.54 GAA, when 2nd place was 1.94 and league average was 2.46. 3 shutouts against the defending Cup champs/regular season champs, including two 1-0 victories. And the Stanley Cup at the end.

 

[Chief]

I think Beezer was better overall but Richter was more of a big game player.

Richter wasn't always a big game goalie either. He was definitely money in the Rangers Cup run and in the 96 World Cup of Hockey (he was MVP of the tournament), but his Ranger playoffs before the Cup run was lacking. There was one series against the Pens where an unobstructed shot from the blueline beat Rochter. There was still hockey to be played in that series but it was "over" after that goal was scored.

 

[Crease]

The more I read about Chuck Rayner, the higher he climbs up my list. I should have his bio up some time today.