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The 10 best trades in the history of the New York Rangers

BySteve Paulus|
Canadian professional hockey player Mark Messier of the New York Rangers hoists the Stanley Cup championship award trophy over his head as teammates American Brian Noonan (#16) and Canadian Glenn Healy (#30) look on during the opening night of the 1995 NHL season, Madison Square Garden, New York, January 20, 1995. The 1994-95 Season was shortened to the 1995 Season because of a lockout in Fall 1994. The Rangers opening game was against the Buffalo Sabres and they lost 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)
Canadian professional hockey player Mark Messier of the New York Rangers hoists the Stanley Cup championship award trophy over his head as teammates American Brian Noonan (#16) and Canadian Glenn Healy (#30) look on during the opening night of the 1995 NHL season, Madison Square Garden, New York, January 20, 1995. The 1994-95 Season was shortened to the 1995 Season because of a lockout in Fall 1994. The Rangers opening game was against the Buffalo Sabres and they lost 2-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)
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TAMPA, FL – MAY 22: Martin St. Louis
TAMPA, FL – MAY 22: Martin St. Louis

Honorable Mentions

There were three instances when the Rangers traded players and acquired draft choices and those draft picks became top players. Here are three great examples:

Ryan Callahan

June 30, 2003

Ron Duguay

February 15, 1974 –  The Rangers traded forward Gene Carr to the Los Angeles Kings for their 1st round pick in the 1977 Amateur Draft.  With the pick, the Rangers drafted forward Ron Duguay who went on to play eight seasons in New York, getting to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1979.  His best season was 1982 when he scored 40 goals and had 76 points in 72 games.  The helmet-less Duguay was a matinee idol on Broadway. Carr played five more years in the NHL, scoring 15 goals in his best season.

Steve Vickers

May 25, 1971 –  The Rangers traded goalie Peter McDuffe to the St. Louis Blues for their 1st round pick in the 1971 Amateur Draft.  With the pick (10th overall) the Rangers drafted left winger Steve Vickers. Vickers played his entire ten year career in New York, winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 1973. He scored 246 goals and 586 points in 698 games.

Vickers set the Ranger team records for points in a game when he notched seven points in 1976 vs. the Washington Capitals.  He was the first NHL player to score hat tricks in consecutive games and holds the Ranger record for fastest playoff overtime goal at :33 seconds. (1980 vs. Atlanta).,

Peter McDuffe played 57 games in the NHL with a record of 11-36 and a GAA of 4.08.

There are many other Ranger trades that could contend for top ten status, but these deals all had a major impact on the team.  Ranger fans have to hope that the trades made at the deadline this season will make the list sometime in the near future. If you have a favorite for the top trade list, let us hear it by tweeting @BluelineStation!

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