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New York Rangers all-time top forward lines

By Jim Madden

New York Rangers Jaromir Jagr and Martin Straka in action against the Tampa Bay Lighting. New York Rangers defeat the Tampa Bay Lighting 4-2 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York on December 22, 2005. (Photo by Dave Saffran/NHLImages)
New York Rangers Jaromir Jagr and Martin Straka in action against the Tampa Bay Lighting. New York Rangers defeat the Tampa Bay Lighting 4-2 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York on December 22, 2005. (Photo by Dave Saffran/NHLImages) /
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MONTREAL 1990’s: Mark Messier #11 and Adam Graves #9 of the New York Rangers skate for the puck against the Montreal Canadiens in the 1990’s at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images)
MONTREAL 1990’s: Mark Messier #11 and Adam Graves #9 of the New York Rangers skate for the puck against the Montreal Canadiens in the 1990’s at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images) /

# 3 -The Messier line

New York Rangers GM Neil Smith made perhaps the biggest trade in franchise history when he acquired Mark Messier just after the beginning of the 1991-92 season.  It was a trade that made the Rangers a credible contender and changed the the face and fortunes of the franchise forever.  Messier had won five Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers and was brought in to deliver one to New York.

Messier was a power forward who combined speed and grit and then added the playmaking dimension of finesse and vision.  He had a rough and tumble exterior meshed with a competiveness and leadership that made him among the most complete hockey players in the history of the game.  Messier not only was the master of every aspect of the game but had the swagger to make all others around him better.

The Messier line had one constant member in Adam Graves who would hold down the left wing position throughout Messier’s first tour of duty with the Rangers.  Graves brought a relentless work ethic, corner toughness balanced with scoring touch.  The Messier and Graves combination was an unstoppable force.   The right wing spot however was a revolving position.

Tony Amonte was the first right side resident as a 21-year-old rookie.  His game breaking speed stretched opponents and his gifted hands buried 35 goals And finished as the Calder Trophy runner up.  Messier broke the century mark with 107 points and captured the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1991-92 when the unit combined for 96 goals.  The following season they combined for 94 goals with Graves leading with 36 markers.

In the 1993-94 season, Graves would set Rangers season record with 52 goals.  Amonte was dealt at the trade deadline which provided the opportunity for the mercurial Alexei Kovalev to showcase his talent with the top line.  The infusion of Kovalev jumpstarted the line in the playoffs and the Rangers rode their energy to capture their first Stanley Cup in 54 years.  The line finished 2-3-5 in playoff scoring with 30 goals and 67 points in 23 playoff games.

Pat Verbeek made his debut on the Messier line after a late season trade with the Hartford Whalers during the strike-shortened 1994-95 season and fit right in.  The trio clicked for 21 goals in 19 games with 11 goals in 10 playoff games.  The following season the line struck for 110 goals with Verbeek and Messier both topping the 40 goal mark.  The line added 28 points in 11 playoff games.

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