New York Rangers: Derek Stepan’s top five Ranger moments
On Friday, Derek Stepan was traded to the Arizona Coyotes in the New York’s first big offseason move.
Stepan was dealt along with Antti Raanta for the 7th pick in this years draft and defensive prospect Anthony DeAngelo.
In seven seasons with the Rangers, Stepan totaled 360 points and ranked tied for 11th with 25 game winning goals. Stepan also ranks fourth all time, with 97 career playoff games played for the Rangers.
Many thought Stepan would be part of a core of career Rangers, but his departure to Arizona signifies the end of a tremendous career in Broadway blue.
In honor of Derek Stepan, here are his top five moments as a New York Ranger.
100 Goals and 300 Points-
Those will be the two most notable career milestones that Stepan secured in his tenure with the Rangers. Both came during the 2015-2016 season.
Stepan scored his 100th career goal on Valentines Day in 2016 against the Philadelphia Flyers. In a 1-0 game, the Rangers got a power play late in the third. Mats Zuccarello’s no look pass set Stepan up for career goal 100 and gave the Rangers the victory.
Later on in the year, Stepan secured his 300th point as a Ranger. The center assisted on Chris Kreider’s 20th goal of the season. The tally helped the Rangers down the Blue Jackets and secure a playoff berth.
Stepan never lit up the scoreboard, but he was a model of consistency for the Rangers.
Career High Four Point Game
Stepan had eight career multi-point games against the Philadelphia Flyers. None were more impressive than a four point outing during the lockout shortened season in 2012-13.
Stepan scored once and dished out three assists for the first and only four point game of his career. The game wasn’t a fluke that season either.
In just 48 games, Stepan recorded 44 points to lead the Rangers. He set career highs in game-winning goals (6) and points per game (0.92) and who knows what Stepan would have done had there been a full season.
While the singular moment didn’t mean much to the Rangers, this game and season were highlights in Stepan’s scoring career.
Going Back To Back
When Rangers fans think of Derek Stepan and the playoffs, their mind’s probably go somewhere other than 2013.
However, one of Stepan’s better moments as a Ranger came during those playoffs against the Washington Capitals. The Rangers found themselves in a quick 2-0 hole in the series with it shifting back to Madison Square Garden.
In back to back games and back to back 4-3 victories, Stepan played hero.
In game three, he scored the go ahead goal with under seven minutes left and the Rangers were able to hold on.
Then, just two nights later, Stepan scored the fourth goal of the game early in the third period.
The Rangers were able to even the series at home and eventually went on to win the series in seven games.
Dream Beginning
Stepan wasted no time making a name for himself in the NHL. He burst in to the league in a fashion that few have, with a hat trick.
On October 9th, 2010 Stepan became the first Ranger to ever do so. Even more impressive is that Stepan had a few opportunities to score four goals in the game against the Sabres, but three isn’t bad.
The goals marked the start of a great Ranger career for Stepan and also marked the beginning of a Ranger’s era that has seen an impressive amount of success. If you mention Derek Stepan to Rangers fans, you will undoubtedly hear something about his incredibly debut in the NHL.
Game Seven Magic
Iconic. The 2015 conference semi-finals will probably go down as one of the most memorable playoff series in Ranger history. Stepan, as all Rangers fans know, was a big part of that.
Even before the overtime winner in game seven, Stepan made big plays to keep the Rangers alive. Most notably in game five when the whole world (including myself) was screaming for him to shoot and then he calmly dished the puck to Ryan McDonagh for the game winner.
Then in game seven, well everyone knows how that ended.
Stepan will live on in Ranger history for that goal he scored against the Capitals. It was the second time in as many years that the Rangers rallied from a 3-1 deficit in a series and I don’t know if anyone will get tired of hearing Doc Emrick say, “Stepan. In overtime. The Rangers move on too Tampa.”
Bye-Bye Step-
Many fans, including myself, had Stepan pegged for a lifelong Ranger until recently. That makes it all the more difficult to say goodbye.
From his first game as a Ranger to his last, Stepan embodied the tradition of the Broadway Blue to the fullest. A gritty competitor in every sense of the word, the center was a large part in the Rangers’ success over the last seven seasons.
Next: Stepan and Raanta traded to Arizona
While he never wowed with high scoring numbers or flashy plays, the consistency and leadership that Stepan brought to the team will be tough to replace.
There’s no doubt the Rangers will miss Derek Stepan.
Here’s to you Step.
Wish you nothing but the best.