New York Rangers: Top 3 draft picks at each position

1 of 5

NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 05: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers looks on following the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden on April 5, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Will Kaapo Kakko be the best New York Rangers draft pick ever? Will he at least be the best right winger the team has ever drafted? Here’s a look at the best at each position.

When it comes to draft picks, the New York Rangers are not exactly the best at evaluating talent. This June there was no doubt at all about the quality of the second overall pick for the Blueshirts. Kaapo Kakko is projected to be a generational talent. But will he be one of the greatest Ranger picks ever?

Here are the top three draft picks selected by the New York Rangers, by position. The criteria for inclusion is that they were selected in the draft by the Rangers. They will be judged on their overall NHL careers, even if they had their greatest success with other teams, We’ll start with the most important position, goal.

The best goaltenders

Amazingly enough, the Rangers have drafted only three truly outstanding goaltenders in 56 years.

#1 Henrik Lundqvist – 2000 – 7th round, #205 overall

Henrik Lundqvist is very possibly the best player ever drafted by the New York Rangers. He is a sure fire Hall of Famer and holds every Ranger team record. He has the most wins, saves, shutouts and games played. He won the Vezina Trophy in 2012.

Not only does he hold Ranger records, he is near the top in many career records. He is sixth in career wins (449), seventh in career saves (22,710), 16th in shutouts (63), 13th in lifetime save percentage (.918) and 23rd in lifetime goals against average (2.41).

#2 John Vanbiesbrouck – 1981 – 4th round, #72 overall

Although the New York Rangers chose to go with Mike Richter over John Vanbiesbrouck in the 1993-94 season, the “Beezer” ranks as the second best goalie ever drafted by the Blueshirts. He is ninth lifetime in games played (882) and 17th overall in wins (374). He had 40 career shutouts and backstopped the Florida Panthers to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1996.

He won the Vezina Trophy as a Ranger in 1986 and was a first team All-Star that same year. In seven NHL seasons, Vanbiesbrouck was in the top ten in goals against average and save percentage. Until he was passed by Ryan Miller, he had the most career wins by an American goaltender.

#3 Mike Richter – 1985 – 2nd round, #28 overall

Mike Richter holds the distinction of being one of the greatest American born goaltenders to play in the NHL along with Vanbiesbrouck. He spent his entire 14 year career with the Rangers, winning the Stanley Cup in 1994.

His 301 career wins puts him in 35th place all-time and fifth among goalies from the USA. As far as team records,he is in second place in nearly every category, behind only Lundqvist. His career was shortened by concussions or he would have extended all of his career numbers.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: None

Home/Editorials