The New York Rangers have had a long list of great captains lead over their 100-year history. Some have helped bring this team back into the competitive fold, and others have pushed them forward to obtain the ultimate prize.
Lately, the captaincy has not been a comfortable position to be in for the Blueshirts. The 2010s had current President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Chris Drury, along with Ryan Callahan and Ryan McDonagh. The 2020s, which we are six years into, have seen Jacob Trouba and J.T. Miller wear the “C”. Trouba was traded away after a brief period of animosity, and Miller assumed the mantle shortly after making his return to the Big Apple.
Looking at that list, there is really only one name there that could be deemed the last one to be successful. Obviously, it was Ryan McDonagh.
McDonagh’s impact is somehow underrated
McDonagh took over as Rangers captain in 2014, and his captaincy lasted until he was traded in 2018. During that time, this franchise saw some pretty good seasons that ended deep in the playoffs.
Namely, the 2014-15 campaign, which saw this team win 53 games, amass 113 points, and win the Presidents’ Trophy. They would go on to lose in the Eastern Conference Finals to Tampa Bay, but there is no denying that it was a fantastic era for this franchise.
No. 27 was a force on the blueline, and was a perfect partner for anyone that got matched with him. Whether it was Dan Girardi or Kevin Shattenkirk, McDonagh was adaptable to any situation.
It is amazing to think that this upcoming season in Tampa Bay will match the time span of the start of his career with the Rangers up until he was dealt away. It feels like it should be longer, but that's because "MacTruck" had a two-year stint in Nashville with the Predators at a point in time in which the Lightning needed to free up some salary.
Why not Trouba?
There is a case for only one other Rangers captain to be deemed a success in the 21st century, and that is Jacob Trouba. He was able to help the Blueshirts win the most amount of games in a single season, the most points, and, just like McDonagh, secure a Presidents' Trophy. No. 8 also helped this franchise to a Conference Final of his own.
But in terms of on-ice ability, McDonagh blows Trouba out of the water. There was a stark difference in the way they played the game, but in terms of being a more positive figure, it had to be McDonagh as the better defenseman. There's also the business of how his tenure with the team ended, the Rangers wanted to trade him and Trouba amended his NTC list to block a potential deal before he was later dealt to Anaheim.
The Rangers have had so many great captains, and the hope is that the 2026-27 season will see Miller start to live up to the standards laid before him. He has to be great in this upcoming season, or Drury's decision to make him the captain is going to start to look very sour.
This franchise needs another McDonagh at the helm, and Miller can potentially fill his shoes.
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