The most influential New York Rangers in recent history

Despite that harsh reality of not hoisting the Stanley Cup, the early to mid-2010s was filled with playoff pushes, emotional moments, and a boatload of fun. None of this could be done if not for five of the most influential New York Rangers in recent history.

Without the likes of the small but mighty Mats Zuccarello, the leadership of Ryan McDonagh, the goal-scoring ability of Rick Nash, the heart and passion of Martin St. Louis and the dominance by “The King” himself, who knows what the New York Rangers success would have been in their years as a contender from the 2011- 2012 season through the 2016-17 campaign.

Note that Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin are exempt from the list as I am analyzing the years from 2011 to 2017, not the extraordinarily bright future that awaits the Broadway Blueshirts.

Mats Zuccarello

What can be said about the 5’8″ undrafted Norwegian winger? There’s a reason the fans at Madison Square Garden chanted ”Zuuuccc” every home game for seven years straight.

Zuccarello’s rise from being this underdog from the Swedish Hockey League–where he did win the league’s MVP honors by the way–to a New York Rangers hero is absolutely unprecedented.

From the 2013-14 to the 2017-18 season, he was undoubtedly one of the most integral pieces of the Blueshirts’ roster, as he led the team in points in four of those five seasons.

During this stretch, the Blueshirts made four playoff appearances highlighted by advancing to the Stanley Cup Final.  But for his head injury in 2015, the Rangers might have made a second straight appearance in the Finals.

Not only was his skill on the ice so important to the team, but his presence off the ice and in the locker room was unmatched which is highlighted by him winning the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award three times.

Seeing “Zuuc” shipped off last season was tough for every player, staffer, and fan, but his dedication to the New York Rangers is such that may never be matched again.

Ryan McDonagh

Oh captain, my captain. Any team that wants to have long term success needs a leader–and that’s what “Mac Truck” was.

Not only was he the head of Alain Vigneault‘s squad, but he was a dominant force among the league’s top defensemen for a number of years. Prior to his captaincy of the Presidents Trophy winning squad in 2014-15, McDonagh was one of the top defensive defensemen in the NHL while adding 43 points in the year of the Rangers’ run to the Stanley Cup Final. He also recorded a playoff-leading 17 points among all defenseman in the 2013-2014 postseason.

Many of us forget, but the pairing of Ryan McDonagh and Dan Giradi were once considered one of the best shutdown pairings in the league.   His career plus/minus rating  of +187 ranks second among active defensemen, only behind the great Zdeno Chara.

To me, it is clear and obvious that Ryan McDonagh is one of the best and most influential defenseman to wear the Rangers sweater.

Rick Nash

Rick Nash knew his role when he was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets. A former first overall pick, he needed to take the role of an elite goal scorer, filling the skates of the departed Marian Gaborik.

Yes, I know that during clutch times and playoff runs his production wasn’t good, but his skill was something much needed for the system-minded Rangers squad.

It only took three seasons for Nash to net 42 goals and record a team-high 69 points. As well, he finished 7th in Hart Trophy voting that same season (2014-15).

During his seven year tenure on Broadway, he recorded 20 goals or more 5 times and made an All Star appearance.

We also must note that even with these very good statistics, Nash was plagued with concussion beginning with the 2013 season.

And despite his impressive play on the ice, his most influential moment had nothing to do with him.

His departure to the Boston Bruins in early 2018 was one of the best trades I can remember as a Rangers fan.

The Blueshirts gave up the injury-plagued 33 year old forward in return for Ryan Spooner who was then dealt for Ryan Strome, Ryan Lindgren, and a first round pick which Jeff Gorton used to trade up and select K’Andre Miller.

Martin St. Louis

Most of you probably know what this picture is from, and it probably warms your hearts. For those who don’t know, this is Martin St Louis scoring the first goal of game Five of the 2014 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Less than 24 hours before he scored this goal, he lost his mother to a sudden death but still managed to lead the Rangers to victory in a must win game at Madison Square Garden. The game took place on Mothers Day.

Just three weeks later, the New York Rangers were fighting for a Stanley Cup.

Earlier in the 2013-14 campaign, the Rangers shipped Ryan Callahan to Tampa Bay in exchange for the former Art Ross winner. The front office’s logic behind this was to quickly enhance their chances of winning the most coveted trophy in sports.

Did it work out? No. But did Marty bring joy, skill, and veteran leadership to the players and fans of the New York Rangers.

Without St. Louis, there is a very good chance we wouldn’t have been able to witness New York’s first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 20 years and missing by one win from another Final appearance the following year.

And by the way, Martin St Louis finished his career at the age of 39 with 52 points and was an essential piece of winning the President’s Trophy team of 2014-15.