Blue Line Station
Fansided

Iced at the Igloo: The 1991-92 New York Rangers

By Scott Esposito

MONTREAL, CANADA - CIRCA 1990: John Vanbiesbrouck #34 of the New York Rangers slides to make a save on a shot by Chris Chelios #24 of the Montreal Canadiens Circa 1990 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, CANADA - CIRCA 1990: John Vanbiesbrouck #34 of the New York Rangers slides to make a save on a shot by Chris Chelios #24 of the Montreal Canadiens Circa 1990 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Leftwinger Adam Graves #9 of the New York Rangers. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
Leftwinger Adam Graves #9 of the New York Rangers. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) /

Gravy

One of the best pickups by the Rangers was when they signed Adam Graves to an offer sheet in the 1991 off-season.  Forced to surrender Troy Mallette as compensation, the fearless and fierce power left winger posted 26 goals, 33 assists, and 139 penalty minutes in his Broadway debut.

“Gravy” was feisty, physical, relentless and had the skills to be a top-six forward (which he was for nearly a decade in New York). He wasn’t a dirty player, just a hard hitter who readily dropped his gloves to defend a teammate. Off the ice, he was (and still is) considered an extremely loyal, caring, and generous person.

Which makes what happened in the Patrick Division Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins so out of character.

In Game Two, Graves hit Mario Lemieux with a two-hander on the arm, receiving a two-minute minor for slashing. Afterward, it was revealed that “Super Mario” had a broken left hand, and the accusations painting Graves as a villain piled up.

The Penguins and Lemieux claimed the slash was intentional — and even ordered by coach Roger Nielson. The Rangers, naturally, denied those accusations. And prior to Lemieux’s diagnosis, Leetch told reporters he initially believed that No. 66 “was overreacting and trying to draw a bigger penalty.”

Graves, in fact, was remorseful that Lemieux was injured, telling reporters “I’ve got to be more cautious in the way I’m checking a guy. But it happens so many times in hockey, it becomes second nature.” Graves told the New York Times: “People are questioning my character. It’s the worst I ever felt in my whole life. People I don’t know think I’m a bad guy.”

NHL vice president Brian O’Neill believed Graves had no intent to injure Lemieux. However, four days after hearing from all parties, O’Neill suspended Graves for four games, calling the play “extremely reckless and careless.”

Graves played in Game Three at the Igloo in Pittsburgh, shaking off a bombardment of boos and even scoring the first goal in a 6-5 Rangers win in overtime. The victory gave the Blueshirts a 2-1 series lead, which was more impressive considering Messier didn’t play in games two or three because of back spasms.

Home/Editorials