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Ranking how well have the Rangers done in late rounds of the draft

By Steve Paulus

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 22: A general view of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 22, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 22: A general view of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 22, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /
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INGLEWOOD, CA – JANUARY 1: Tony Amonte #33 of the New York Rangers on January 1, 1994 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA – JANUARY 1: Tony Amonte #33 of the New York Rangers on January 1, 1994 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images) /

Fourth round – Traded too soon

The Rangers have done really well in the fourth round.  With Igor Shesterkin a fourth round pick, it’s very possible that the Russian goalie could supplant Amonte on the top of this list when his career is over.

Win:  Tony Amonte (#68-1988)  – Amonte only played three seasons in New York, but was top goal scorer with 68 tallies in his first two seasons.  Mike Keenan had him traded to Chicago for Brian Noonan and Stephane Matteau in 1994.  While that paid off short term for New York, Amonte played 1,174 games and scored 416 goals, mostly with the Blackhawks.

Place: John Vanbiesbrouck (#72-1981) – The Beezer was one of the best USA-born goaltenders and was the Rangers starting goalie for nine years.  He lost his job to Mike Richter and after leaving New York he took the Florida Panthers to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1996.

Show:  Ryan Callahan (#127-2004) – The Rangers captain played eight seasons in New York, known or sacrificing his body for the team.  The heart and soul of the Rangers was traded to Tampa during a contract dispute year for Martin St. Louis.

Ones that got away:  Ryan Graves (#110 2013)  never got a shot in New York and has blossomed into a regular defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche.

Marc Savard (#91-1995) played just over one season for the Rangers before being traded to Colorado.  He went to have two 90+ point season and play in two All-Star games before concussions ended his career.

Mike Sullivan (#69 1987) never played for the Rangers and ended up playing 709 games in the NHL.  He also served as assistant coach and the Rangers let him get away a second time when he became head coach in Pittsburgh and won two Stanley Cups.

Other notables:  Mark Janssens (#72-1986), Jim Cummins (#67-1989), Paul Broten (#77-1984),  Pat Conacher (#76-1979), Mario Marois (#62-1977), Jerry Butler (#55-1971), Dale Wiese (#111-2008)

Future stars:  Igor Shesterkin (#118-2014),  Tarmo Reunanen (#98-2016)

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