Early Years
The New York Rangers were the last American team to join the NHL in 1926. In their second season, the Rangers would win the Stanley Cup and be the first American team in the NHL to have their names carved into the cup. In the 1932-33 season, the Rangers would win their second Stanley Cup. The Rangers would make the playoffs the next 9 of their 10 seasons winning another Stanley Cup in the 1939-40 season. That would be their last Stanley Cup for 54 years.
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New York's original logo
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Original Six Era
The Rangers would begin the 40s getting eliminated in the playoffs in back to back years. After making the playoffs in 5 consecutive seasons the Rangers would suffer through on a 20 game winless streak in the 1942-43 season. This would only get worse in the following season the Rangers would lose their first 16 games then end the season losing 21 straight games. The streak would continue for the next 5 games in the 1944-45 season finally winning a game. The Rangers would make the playoffs in 1948 with Buddy O'Connor winning the Hart Trophy (MVP) with a record of 21-26-13. The Rangers posted their first winning season since 1942 in 1956 going 32-28-10. The next 11 years were mired with inconsistency missing the playoffs 7 different times and not making it back to the Stanley Cup in any of their seasons making the playoffs.
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New York's first Original Six logo (1947-1952)
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Greatest Players
1. Offense: Mark Messier: Mark Messier played for the New York Rangers for 10 seasons (1993-1997, 2001-2004) and helped lead them to their first Stanley Cup in 54 years. Messier joined the Rangers in 1991 and there was no looking back after that winning the Stanley Cup 3 years later. In only 10 years Messier became a Rangers great tallying 691 points (fifth all-time in Rangers history), 441 assists (sixth all-time in Rangers history), and 250 goals (seventh all-time in Rangers history).
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2. Offense: Andy Bathgate: Andy Bathgate would play in 12 seasons (1953-1964) with the Rangers being one of the leagues top scorers. Bathgate would captain the Ranger through the 1950s and early 60s. Bathgate would win 1 heart trophy in his career (MVP). Andy Bathgate ranks fourth among Rangers in points (729), assists (457), and goals (272).
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3. Defense: Brian Leetch: Brian Leetch played 16 seasons (1988-2004) for the Rangers and became one of the greatest American defensemen of all-time. In 1994 Leetch won the Conn Symthe Trophy (playoff MVP) after leading the Rangers to a Stanley Cup win in 54 years alongside Mark Messier. Leetch would win the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) once and the James Norris Trophy (best defenseman) twice to go along with his Conn Smythe. Brian Leetch is the Rangers all-time leader by a defenseman in points (981), assists (741), and goals (240).
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4. Defense: Ron Greschner: Ron Greschner played 16 seasons (1975-1990) for the New York Rangers. Greschner is a New York favorite being drafted early in the second round would never reach MVP heights or even top defenseman in the NHL but would have a great career. Towards the end of his career, Greschner would groom players Brian Leetch for the future. Ron Greschner is the Rangers second all-time leader in points (610), assists (431), and goals (179).
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5. Goalie: Henrik Lundqvist: Henrik Lundqvist (2006-Present) is the current starting goaltender for the New York Rangers. Lundqvist has played in New York for 13 seasons since being drafted by them. Henrik Lundqvist is the only goalie to win at least 30 games in his first 12 seasons in the NHL and has only won less than 30 twice winning 24 games in the 2012-13 season a season shortened by 34 games. In the 2017-18 season, Lundqvist won 26 games in a year of rebuilding for the Rangers. Lundqvist has won the Vezina Trophy (best goalie) once. Henrik Lundqvist is the Rangers all-time leader in wins (431), first in shutouts (63), and third in save percentage (0.919)
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Stanley Cup Wins
Since being founded in 1926 the New York Rangers have won the Stanley Cup 4 times. 1927-28, 1932-33, 1939-40, 1993-94.