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2.7k voters

The Greatest New York Rangers of All Time

Updated September 21, 2020 24.9k votes 2.7k voters 31.5k views120 items

List RulesVote based only on players' time with the Rangers.

This is a list of the greatest New York Rangers players of all time. One of the Original Six franchises in the NHL, the Rangers have a storied history, albeit one that's generally associated with near misses. Despite the franchise generally being among the league's best, the team has only won one Stanley Cup since 1940. That doesn't mean the team hasn't had some of the best players in the NHL, whether top Rangers goalies or goalscorers.

Some of the greatest Rangers in team history are some of the most recognizable faces in the league. Many NY Rangers players have taken home individual honors, even when the team has faltered. If you want hall of fame players, the Rangers have them. Mark Messier, Brian Leetch and even Wayne Gretzky have suited up on Broadway. The Blueshirts have always featured a rich history of strong goaltending with the likes of Eddie Giacomin, MIke Richter and Henrik Lundqvist all standing between the pipes.

Who are some of the greatest NY Rangers of all time? That's not an easy question, especially when you consider who has played for the team. But it's up to you decide. Are these guys the greatest hockey players of all time or even the best players today? Take a look and vote up and down your favorite Rangers of all time.

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1
732
271
Brian Leetch
Defenseman
Birthplace: Corpus Christi, Texas
Nationality: United States of America
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#4 of 64 The Greatest American Hockey Players of All Time#10 of 116 The Best Defensemen in NHL History
2
809
341
Henrik Lundqvist
Goaltender
Birthplace: Åre, Sweden
Nationality: Sweden
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#53 of 80 Twins in Sports#54 of 191 The Best Current NHL Players
3
1,004
399
Andy Bathgate
Centerman
Birthplace: Winnipeg, Canada
Nationality: Canada
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#83 of 144 The Best NHL Players To Have Their Numbers Retired#29 of 33 The Best Athletes Who Wore #21
4
533
203
Mike Richter
Goaltender
Birthplace: Abington Township, Pennsylvania
Nationality: United States of America
5
891
386
Mark Messier
Centerman
Birthplace: Edmonton, Canada
Nationality: Canada
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#1327 of 1,427 The Best Athletes Of All Time#38 of 116 The Greatest Left-Handed Athletes of All Time
6
431
173
Rod Gilbert
Right wing
Birthplace: Montreal, Canada
Nationality: Canada
7
347
164
Jean Ratelle
Centerman
Birthplace: Lake Saint-Jean, Canada
Nationality: Canada
8
320
154
Eddie Giacomin
Goaltender
Birthplace: Greater Sudbury, Canada
Nationality: Canada
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#30 of 99 The Top Hockey Goaltenders of All Time#38 of 75 People Who Should Be in the Hockey Hall of Fame
9
316
160
Brad Park
Defenseman
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
Nationality: Canada
10
366
222
Adam Graves
Right wing
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
Nationality: Canada
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#106 of 207 The Greatest San Jose Sharks Of All Time#42 of 49 25+ Celebrities Born On April 12
11
426
222
Jaromír Jágr
Right wing
Birthplace: Kladno, Czech Republic
Nationality: Czech Republic
12
214
131
Vic Hadfield
Left Wing
Birthplace: Oakville, Canada
Nationality: Canada
13
204
139
John Vanbiesbrouck
Goaltender
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
Nationality: United States of America

14
281
178
Phil Esposito
Centerman
Birthplace: Sault Ste. Marie, Canada
Nationality: Canada
15
177
125
Ron Greschner
Defenseman
Birthplace: Goodsoil, Canada
Nationality: Canada
16
240
147
Ryan McDonagh
Defenseman
Birthplace: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Nationality: United States of America
17
175
121
Harry Howell
Defenseman
Birthplace: Hamilton, Canada
Nationality: Canada
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#22 of 30 The Best Athletes Who Wore #3#28 of 50 The Best Athletes Who Wore #5
18
182
120
Walt Tkaczuk
Centerman
Birthplace: Emsdetten, Germany
Nationality: Canada, Germany
19
244
117
Alexei Kovalev
Right wing
20
525
319
Wayne Gretzky
Centerman
Birthplace: Brantford, Canada
Nationality: United States of America,Canada
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#813 of 904 Celebrity Death Pool 2021#275 of 403 Famous Role Models We'd Like to Meet In Person
21
237
122
Mike Gartner
Right wing
Birthplace: Ottawa, Canada
Nationality: Canada
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#79 of 502 The Best NHL Players of All Time#29 of 56 The Best Arizona Coyotes of All Time
22
328
187
Mats Zuccarello
Left Wing, Forward
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway
Nationality: Norway
23
167
126
Daniel Girardi
Defenseman
Birthplace: Welland, Canada
Nationality: Canada