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New York Rangers all-time top forward lines

ByJim 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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German ice hockey player Walt Tkaczuk (#18) and Canadian Bill Fairbairn of the New York Rangers scrabble behind the net with Doug Jarrett of the Chicago Blackhawks during a game, early 1970s. Jarrett’s teammates Czech player Stan Mitika (#21) and goalkeeper Gary Smith watch from in front of the net. (Photo by Melchior DiGiacomo/Getty Images)
German ice hockey player Walt Tkaczuk (#18) and Canadian Bill Fairbairn of the New York Rangers scrabble behind the net with Doug Jarrett of the Chicago Blackhawks during a game, early 1970s. Jarrett’s teammates Czech player Stan Mitika (#21) and goalkeeper Gary Smith watch from in front of the net. (Photo by Melchior DiGiacomo/Getty Images)

#7 – The Bulldog line

During the early seventies the hype around Rangerstown was the goal a game line  of Jean Ratelle, Vic Hadfield and Rod Gilbert.  We’ll get to the GAG line within this tribute list however during the 1969-70 season Emile Francis assembled the trio of Walter Tkaczuk, Bill Fairbairn and Dave Balon which became known as “the Bulldog line”.   The Bulldog line went through some metamorphosis with the left wing spot but the two constants were Tkaczuk and Fairbairn.

Tkaczuk, the stoic centerman came up through the Rangers farm system and debuted in 1968-69 as one of Francis’ development chips.  Fairbairn arrived in New York as a rookie the following season as a hard working winger known for his relentless work along the boards and replaced the injured Bob Nevin with Tkaczuk and the veteran Balon.  In their first year the Bulldog line actually outscored the famed GAG line putting up 203 points with Tkaczuk leading the team in scoring, Balon the team’s leading goal scorer with 33 markers, and Fairbairn finishing second in the Calder trophy balloting for rookie of the year.

Balon, the veteran from Saskatchewan had his two best seasons finishing in the top ten goal scorers in the league, but eventually his play level showed signs of decline which would later be diagnosed as the onset of multiple sclerosis was traded during the 1971-72 season.  A season ending injury to Ratelle forced Francis to scramble his lines with Tkaczuk taking on additional roles within the mix.

Left winger Steve Vickers arrived on the scene during the 1972-73 season and found a home as the new left winger with 30 goals enroute to rookie of the year honors.  Fairbairn had a career high 30 as the Bulldog line struck for 87 goals with 17 game winners.  Vickers had three hat tricks including the first back-to-back hats as a rookie in NHL history.  Tkaczuk and Fairbairn continued to shine as the top penalty killing pair in the league.  They played their last year together in 1973-74 with Vickers hitting the 30 goal mark again before being moved to the top line with Ratelle and Gilbert the following season.

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