New York Rangers: Top 3 draft picks at each position
By Steve Paulus
The best defensemen
Three top defensemen, all in the Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, the Rangers had the bad judgment to trade two of them away at the peak of their abilities.
#1 Brian Leetch – 1986 – 1st round, #9 overall
Brian Leetch is arguably the greatest USA born hockey player to ever play in the NHL. There is no doubt that he is the greatest defenseman from the United States. While he trails Phil Housley in several major offensive categories, it was his two-way play in a 17 year career that places him at the top.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 2009, Leetch is in the top ten all-time among defensemen in goals, assists, points, power play goals although he is 32nd in lifetime games played. He won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year, two Norris Trophies as best defenseman and the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1994 as the playoffs MVP.
#2 Brad Park -1966 – 1st round, #2 overall
Brad Park is the second highest pick every by the New York Rangers, a feat that was tied by Kaapo Kakko this year. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1988 after a 17 year career with the Rangers, Bruins and Red Wings.
In eight years with the Blueshirts, Park was acknowledged as the second best defenseman in the NHL, only behind Bobby Orr. Overshadowed by Orr most of his career, Park was a first or second team All-Star seven times.
Despite his outstanding play with the Rangers, Park was traded to Boston with Jean Ratelle in 1975 for Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais in one of the biggest blockbuster trades in NHL history. He went on to play ten more seasons in the NHL including eight with the Bruins.
#3 Sergei Zubov – 1990 – 5th round, #85 overall
Sergei Zubov was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame this year, joining Leetch and Park in the Hall. Unfortunately, he will go into the Hall wearing a Dallas Stars uniform. Zubov was traded by the Rangers to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1995 after only three seasons in New York.
Zubov was a gifted offensive player who led the 1994 Stanley Cup champion Rangers in regular season scoring. He went on to win a second Stanley Cup with the Stars in 1999. Zubov finished his career in 16th place all-time among defensemen in assists (619) and 19th in points with 771.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
James Patrick – 1981 – 1st round, #9
Ron Greschner – 1974 – 2nd round, # 32
Riejo Ruotslaainen – 1980 6th round, #119