When looking at the New York Rangers and their history, the 2010s were one of the most successful decades in their 100-year history. Of course, there were no Stanley Cups won, but they did make it to the dance once, and were just on the doorstep of making it two additional times. It was a team that pretty much did everything but win the big one.
Looking at the centers from that decade of successful hockey, there are a number of names that come to mind. But, there are three that really set themselves apart from the rest.
Let's take a look.
3. Brad Richards
Even though he only played for three seasons for the Blueshirts, there is no argument to be made that Brad Richards did not have a huge impact in his tenure. In 210 games, he scored 56 goals and added 95 assists for 151 points, and each was very crucial for the Rangers as it was during the early part of the decade that had the Stanley Cup Final loss.
Richards came to the Rangers near the end of his career, but he still played at an extremely high-level. To say that he was a top center is an understatement, and even though it was a short span, he gives the next name a run for his money. As luck would have it, after being bought out by the Rangers, Richards won his second Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2014-15 in what was his second to last NHL season.
2. Derrick Brassard
Derrick Brassard had an interesting time with the Rangers. He was impactful with the team, and his departure also brought an even bigger impact as he was the main draw to Ottawa for Mika Zibanejad.
Brassard was dynamic and clutch in some cases particularly in the playoffs. With 18 goals and 26 assists for 44 points in 58 playoff games with the Rangers, there weren't many players ahead of him in value.
Brassard tallied 545 points in 1,013 career games spent with 10 different teams. He logged the second-most games of his career with the Rangers (254), and tallied 174 points which was the most successful stop of his career. What a player.
1. Derek Stepan
The top center of the decade is an obvious one, as he is also a potential for the top-three greatest centers in Rangers history as a whole. Derek Stepan was incredible for the Rangers in his seven seasons at Madison Square Garden.
Stepan played in 515 games with the Blueshirts, scoring 128 goals and adding 232 assists for 360 points. No other player scored more points in the 2010s than Stepan, and that includes a list who has Rick Nash Mats Zuccarello, and Chris Kreider on it.
Add us as a preferred source on Google