Always a Ranger

Henrik Lundqvist called it a career today after 15 brilliant seasons with the Rangers.  He was technically a member of the Capitals when he retired, but he never actually played a game for Washington, missing last season with the heart condition that ultimately led to his retirement.  Frankly, I'm glad he never actually wore a Capitals jersey.  Because it just wouldn't have looked right.  It would've been Martin Brodeur on the Blues.

Instead, the only NHL jersey bearing the name "Lundqvist" is the blue #30, which will be raised to the Madison Square Garden rafters at some point during the 2021-22 season.  As it should be.  Because Henrik Lundqvist isn't just one of the best players in franchise history.  He was the Face of the Rangers for a decade.  He was their unofficial captain (which is why they annoyingly haven't had an official one since Ryan McDonagh left).  He's the guy they built an entire team around and were so desperate to win a Stanley Cup for.  They got close, losing the Final to the Kings in 2014.  But, unfortunately, he didn't get that Stanley Cup win to go along with his 2006 Olympic gold medal.

There's no doubt that Hank will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as soon as he's eligible.  There's also no doubt that place in franchise lore is secure.  Had the Rangers won that Cup in 2014, the argument could even be made that he's the greatest player in the 95-year history of the franchise.  However, without, it's hard to give him the No. 1 spot.

So who is the greatest player in Rangers history?  That's obviously a subject of debate.  And I'll definitely say Lundqvist is the greatest goalie in franchise history.  But where does he rank overall?  And, if he's not No. 1, who is? 

10. Andy Bathgate: Andy Bathgate and Adam Graves were both No. 9, and it was retired for both of them.  So why does Bathgate get the nod over a key contributor to the 1994 champions?  A few reasons.  Bathgate's in the Hall of Fame.  Graves is not.  Bathgate won a Hart Trophy.  Graves did not.  Bathgate was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players.  Graves was not.  Bathgate's also fourth on the Rangers' all-time lists for goals, assists and points.

9. Harry Howell: No player in Rangers history has appeared in more games than Harry Howell's 1160.  He was a Ranger for 17 years and won the Norris Trophy in 1966-67, which happened to be the rookie year of a certain Boston Bruin who would go on to win just a few Norris Trophies during his career.  Since Howell was a defenseman, he didn't have the scoring numbers.  But, I must say, playing that long and having almost one penalty minute per game (1147 total) is mighty impressive!

8. Eddie Giacomin: For a long time, Giacomin's No. 1 and Rod Gilbert's No. 7 were the Rangers' only retired numbers.  And I don't think it's a stretch to say Giacomin is the third-best goalie in Rangers history.  He won the Vezina in '71 and was in the net for that Stanley Cup Final run the following season.  Giacomin is third in franchise history in wins (267) and second in shutouts (49), and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987.

7. Mike Richter: The Rangers do not win the Stanley Cup in 1994 without Mike Richter in goal.  He had 42! wins that season, his first as the full-time starter after splitting goalie duties with John Vanbiesbrouck before that.  Richter was the first Ranger goalie with 300 career wins, and he held all of the team goalie records before Lundqvist came along.

6. Jean Ratelle: Like so many great Rangers, Jean Ratelle never won the Cup.  That doesn't mean he wasn't one of the best players in the NHL during the 60s and 70s, though.  In fact, he was the league's sixth all-time leading scorer when he retired, and his 336 goals for the Rangers are second-most in franchise history.  Ratelle's also third on the Rangers' all-time assists and points lists, and he won two Lady Byng Trophies (in 1971-72, he played in 63 games, had 109 points, and spent just four minutes in the penalty box).

5. Bill Cook: Ten Rangers have their numbers retired.  Bill Cook is not one of them.  Although, maybe that should be reconsidered.  He's often referred to as the "Original Ranger."  Cook was the Rangers' first captain, scored the first goal in franchise history, and spent his entire 12-year NHL career on Broadway.  Most significantly, he was the best player on two of the Rangers' four Stanley Cup championship teams (1927-28 and 1932-33).

4. Mark Messier: When Mark Messier was traded to the Rangers days before the 1991-92 season started, it was a franchise-altering move (for both teams).  It was the perfect marriage of player and team.  He was exactly what they needed to finally break through and end their 54-year Stanley Cup drought!  Messier ranks among the Top 10 in Rangers history in all of the major offensive categories, but his leadership is what made him a Rangers legend.

3. Henrik Lundqvist: Number 3 is where I ultimately settled for Hank.  Being the face of the franchise for a decade is one thing.  Being arguably the best goalie in the NHL during your prime is another.  Lundqvist was both.  Eleven straight 30-win seasons!  The most wins ever for a European-born goalie.  Two Olympic medals and a World Championship to go along with all of his NHL success.  And, in perhaps the ultimate sign of respect, a career that was even appreciated by Islanders fans.

2. Brian Leetch: I was gonna put Leetch at No. 1, but it felt more appropriate to give him his jersey number.  He's on the short list of greatest defensemen ever, and he was the first American ever to win the Conn Smythe Trophy, when he had a ridiculous 34 points in 23 playoff games.  Leetch also won the Calder Trophy in 1988-89 and two Norris Trophies.  He's the Rangers' all-time leader in assists, second in points, and would be the all-time leader in games played had he not been traded to Toronto at the 2004 trade deadline.  Those 15 games with the Leafs and his final season with the Bruins (which was after the lockout) just didn't feel or look right.

1. Rod Gilbert: He was the first Ranger to have his number retired and is still the franchise's all-time leader in goals.  He's also the only Ranger with more than 1000 points for the franchise.  And he never wore another uniform during his 19-year Hall-of-Fame career.  In fact, he still works for the team 40 years after retiring as a player.  That's why I've got Rod Gilbert in the top spot.  There are definitely (valid) arguments for others, but he gets my vote.