New York Rangers forgotten players A-Z: The E’s
In our previous installment of the forgotten New York Rangers series, we looked at players with last names that end with D. Now, it’s time to go over the E’s.
None of the players on this list were superstars at the NHL level. A lot of them were primarily depth players or held roles in the lower parts of lineups. However, even with this being so, it is still easy for fans to forget that they once were a part of the Blueshirts.
The first player who will be discussed has become very popular after his professional hockey career, as he is currently an NHL head coach. We then will follow that up with a bottom-six forward who had himself a pretty lengthy career, but his time with the Rangers was pretty short. Next, we look at a defenseman who spent a few seasons with the team, but is more remembered for playing elsewhere. The last player on this list was another defenseman, but who also happens to hold a very interesting record.
Dallas Eakins D
Dallas Eakins is more known as being a head coach in the NHL at this juncture. He currently holds this position with the Anaheim Ducks and has since the 2019-20 season. In 2013, he became head coach of the Edmonton Oilers, but would end up fired in December of 2014 because of how poorly they played. He also spent time with the Toronto Marlies before beginning his journey as an NHL coach.
When it came to his professional career as a player, Eakins spent a lot of it in the minors- both in the AHL and now defunct IHL. Due to the fact that he couldn’t find a permanent spot in the NHL, he was on the move a lot. In 10 NHL seasons, he played for eight different teams. Among them includes the Rangers, but only to a very small degree.
Eakins played just three games with the Rangers during the 1996-97 season and failed to record a point. After his time with the team, he returned to the Florida that following season.
In 122 career games between the Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues, Phoenix Coyotes, Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders and Calgary Flames, Eakins had nine assists and 208 penalty minutes.
Mike Eastwood C
Mike Eastwood quietly spent two seasons of his 13-year NHL career with the New York Rangers. Interesting fact – he came to the Blueshirts in the same trade that brought in Eakins. In 75 games total, he had six goals, 12 assists and 18 points. Therefore, it was not necessarily the most memorable of tenures. The Rangers would then trade him to the St. Louis Blues during the 1997-98 season for Harry York.
Eastwood certainly could be classified as a journeyman, as he suited up for seven teams. He also is remembered most by many hockey fans for being a part of a big trade. During the 1994-95 season, the Toronto Maple Leafs traded him and a 1995 third-round pick for legendary enforcer, Tie Domi – another former Ranger. From here, Domi would play 11 seasons with the Leafs after the move and terrorize his opponents. With this, he also would become a fan favorite in Toronto.
In 783 career games between the Maple Leafs, Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, Rangers, Blues, Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins, Eastwood had 87 goals, 149 assists and 236 points. Overall, it wasn’t a bad career, but how many opposing fans think of Eastwood’s time with the Rangers first? It’s safe to say not too many.
Steve Eminger D
Steve Eminger was selected 12th overall by the Washington Capitals during the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He was viewed as a big part of their future during their rebuild and even made the team as a 19-year-old. Therefore, many hockey fans are quick to remember his time with the franchise most. He never blossomed into a full-on star with the team, though. In 212 games over five seasons, he had six goals, 43 points and 221 penalty minutes. What’s even more interesting is that when the Philadelphia Flyers traded for him, they gave up the first-round pick that turned into John Carlson… yikes.
Eminger would play just 12 games with the Flyers before being moved to the Tampa Bay Lightning. That same season, he would be dealt to the Florida Panthers, which was his third team during that campaign. He would then sign a two-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks over that summer. After recording 16 points with them in 63 games, he was dealt to the Rangers for Aaron Voros and Ryan Hillier after his first season in Anaheim.
In 65 games with the Rangers during the 2010-11 season, he scored two goals and had six points. From here, he would sign re-sign with them for two years. He finished off his NHL career with the Blueshirts during the 2012-13 season. In 35 games, he had three assists.
In 142 total games with the Rangers, he had four goals, 10 assists and 14 points. After his time with the Rangers, he played in the KHL and then a few more years in the AHL. However, his attempted comeback to the NHL was not successful.
Anders Eriksson D
Anders Eriksson was never a superstar in the NHL, but he does hold an intriguing NHL record. He played for the most NHL teams out of all Swedish hockey players with eight. During the 2009-10 season, Eriksson would finish out his NHL career with the Rangers after being traded from the Coyotes. He played eight games as a Blueshirt and had two assists.
Eriksson was an interesting player, as he was capable of producing decent offense at times. Over his 12-year NHL career, he had at least 20 points on six different occasions. His best year in the league came during the 1999-2000 season with the Chicago Blackhawks. In it, he scored three goals and had 28 points.
Over 572 career games with the Detroit Red Wings, Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets, Calgary Flames, Coyotes and Rangers, Eriksson had 22 goals, 154 assists and 176 assists. Overall, it was a pretty solid career, but it’s safe to say not many hockey fans probably remember his very short tenure with the Rangers.
light. Related Story. New York Rangers forgotten players A-Z: The C’s