New York Rangers: Top 10 Rangers Since the 2004 Lockout

3 of 6

Nov 6, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports /

#4: Ryan McDonagh, 2010/2011 – Present

Like the last player on our countdown, Ryan McDonagh has been with the Rangers since the 2010-2011 season. McDonagh also played at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens with the 12th overall pick and was later traded to the New York Rangers in a package highlighted by Scott Gomez.

McDonagh only played in 40 games in his first season in the NHL. He was back and forth with the Rangers’ AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolfpack. He played 38 games games in the minors that season.

McDonagh has been the best defenseman the Rangers have had since the 2004 lockout, and arguably since Brian Leetch. He has finished in the top 15 for the Norris Trophy four times in his career. In seven seasons, including the current one, McDonagh is a career +124.

At the start of the 2014-2015 season, McDonagh was named the captain of the New York Rangers. His excellence on the ice and leadership made him a great choice for the position. He has owned it in the two and a half season that he has worn the “C”.

In the 2015 NHL Playoffs, McDonagh’s dedication to the team really showed. The Rangers were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals in seven games at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning. After the series, the team announced that McDonagh had played the final couple of games with a broken foot.

That kind of dedication to the team shows why he is an excellent captain and an easy choice for #4 on this countdown.

Home/Editorials