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

By Steve 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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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 10: Bob Nevin #8 of the New York Rangers looks to score on goalie Glenn Hall #1 of the Chicago Blackhawks on March 10, 1965 at the Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by B Bennett/Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 10: Bob Nevin #8 of the New York Rangers looks to score on goalie Glenn Hall #1 of the Chicago Blackhawks on March 10, 1965 at the Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by B Bennett/Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images) /

#6  Bob Nevin, Rod Seiling, Arnie Brown, Dick Duff and Bill Collins acquired from Toronto for Andy Bathgate and Don McKenney.

February 22, 1964

Andy Bathgate was one of the greatest Rangers ever.  Between 1958 and 1963 the right winger won the Hart Trophy and was a first or second team All-Star four times. Clearly the Rangers best player, he was the centerpiece of a massive trade that changed the face of the New York Rangers for years to come.

Midway through the 1964 season, Bathgate was having an off-season with only 16 goals in 56 games.  Rangers GM Muzz Patrick had overseen the development of young stars like Jean Ratelle, Vic Hadfield and Rod Gilbert and pulled the trigger on this blockbuster. The big acquisition here was right wing Bob Nevin, but just as important were Arnie Brown and Rod Seiling, both of which were stalwarts as a defensive tandem for years to come.

Bathgate played five more NHL seasons, only topping the 20 goal mark once, but he did win his only Stanley Cup with Toronto in 1964. Center Don McKenney was a semi-regular for three more NHL seasons.

For New York, Bob Nevin played seven full seasons as a Ranger, averaging 23 goals per year and was the team captain from 1965-71. Arnie Brown played seven seasons as a regular on defense for New York. Rod Seiling spent ten years on the blueline for New York, mostly partnered with Jim “The Chief” Neilson.

This trade was significant for the Rangers, as Patrick traded an aging superstar for three players who were key contributors to the great Ranger teams of the late 60’s and early 70’s.

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