Who is the greatest Ranger ever?

[nyrmetros]

For anyone interested, we did do an exhaustive research project on this topic in this forum area from mid-2013 to mid-2014.

Ranking the top 10 NYR all-time at center, wing, and defense.

I believe we did not end up doing goalie cuz Hank was still active. We naturally had a strong feeling he’d end number one (or close to it) when all was said and done. It just felt sensible to wait out his career.

I think my screen name was Cake or Death back then. I recall a number of us exhaustively researching NYRs history, spending a month or more ranking each position. Not just stats, but digging up as many quotes, articles, and thoughts from people who saw and played with or against these players in all eras.

Again, for anyone interested, I’ll re-list below what we came up with in mid-2014:

CENTER

• Frank Boucher
• Mark Messier
• Jean Ratelle
• Neil Colville
• Phil Watson
• Walt Tkaczuk
• Edgar Laprade
• Don Raleigh
• Buddy O'Connor
• Phil Esposito/Wayne Gretzky

DEFENSE

• Brian Leetch
• Brad Park
• "Ching" Johnson
• Harry Howell
• Art Coulter
• Ott Heller
• Bill Gadsby
• Earl Seibert
• Ron Greschner
• Babe Pratt

WINGERS

• Bill Cook
• Andy Bathgate
• Rod Gilbert
• Bryan Hextall, Sr.
• Cecil Dillon
• Vic Hadfield
• "Bun" Cook / Adam Graves
• Camille Henry
• Jaromir Jagr

Fantastic post!

 

[TheWrongWay]

Fantastic post!

Thank you, but in fairness that post was not my own.

It was a months-long endeavor many people collaborated on and all put a ton of effort into it. The desire to respect the players, and the team's history, and trying to find sensible ways to compare different eras was a massive undertaking.

To this day, I appreciate the efforts and time expended by all involved.

 

[nyrmetros]

The A Line just doesn't get enough respect from the contemporary Rangers supporter. The team bears part of the blame for not educating us enough on our past greatness. Kudos to the team for that great article. The Cook brothers and Frank Boucher and Ching Johnson belong in the rafters at MSG 4.5.

 

[TheWrongWay]

The A Line just doesn't get enough respect from the contemporary Rangers supporter. The team bears part of the blame for not educating us enough on our past greatness. Kudos to the team for that great article. The Cook brothers and Frank Boucher and Ching Johnson belong in the rafters at MSG 4.5.

Agreed. I always imagined people alive that time, seeing the most successful team the NYR ever iced, one of the legendary lines in NHL history, and at the same time that iteration of the NY Yankees with Ruth, Gehrig, Combs, Hoyt, Lazzeri, and so on.

That was quite a remarkable time for NY sports.

Such a promising start for the NYR: 3 Cups and I believe 6 finals appearances in their first 14 or 15 seasons. The following decades got a little vomit-inducing lol. And I don't have much confidence now with Dolan at the helm.

But those early Rangers should for sure be revered in the team's history.

 

[nyrmetros]

Agreed. I always imagined people alive that time, seeing the most successful team the NYR ever iced, one of the legendary lines in NHL history, and at the same time that iteration of the NY Yankees with Ruth, Gehrig, Combs, Hoyt, Lazzeri, and so on.

That was quite a remarkable time for NY sports.

Such a promising start for the NYR: 3 Cups and I believe 6 finals appearances in their first 14 or 15 seasons. The following decades got a little vomit-inducing lol. And I don't have much confidence now with Dolan at the helm.

But those early Rangers should for sure be revered in the team's history.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you.

 

[nyrmetros]

Lucky No. 7 | New York Rangers

The legacy of jersey No. 7 in Rangers history

www.nhl.com

 

[PolishPrince21]

hated him because he played for you but he was my favorite ranger. #2

 

[SRHRangers]

Dan Cloutier for giving one of the biggest beatings ever to Tommy Salo.

 

[nyrmetros]

Lol