First line
Left Wing – Bun Cook (HOF)
Years: 1926-36
Stats: 433 games, 154 goals, 141 assists, 295 points
Adjusted stats: 282 goals and 490 assists for 772 points.
Skinny: Assisted on the first goal in franchise history, scored by his brother, Bill, with whom he played on “The Bread Line” (along with Frank Boucher).
Center – Mark Messier (HOF)
Years: 1991-97, 2000-04
Stats: 698 games, 250 goals, 441 assists, 691 points
Skinny: Delivered on his “guarantee” and potted the winner in Game Seven of the 1994 Finals to help the Rangers win their fourth Cup in franchise history, ending a 54-year championship drought on Broadway. During that postseason, “The Messiah” had 12 goals, 18 assists, and four game-winners. In his first season in New York (1991-92), he won the Hart Trophy after posting 35 markers and 72 helpers.
Right Wing – Rod Gilbert (HOF)
Years: 1960-78
Stats: 1,065 games, 406 goals, 615 assists, 1,021 points
Skinny: Franchise leader in points and goals, and third in games. Had 67 points (34 goals) in 79 playoff games and was the first number retired by the team (No. 7 in 1979). … Member of the team’s famous Goal-A-Game line with Vic Hadfield and Jean Ratelle. … Slowed some by back troubles most his career, he had spinal fusion surgery in 1961 and 1965.
Next up, the second line.