Today the Detroit Red Wings announced that Sergei Fedorov's No. 91 would be retired, and this long overdue honor is something that likely strikes a cord with older New York Rangers fans who are still waiting for a team legend to earn that recognition.
That player is Brad Park, and many fans (including current columnist Larry Brooks) think that his No. 2 sweater should hang in the rafters alongside Brian Leetch, similar to how Andy Bathgate's No. 9 hangs next to Adam Graves' and Vic Hadfield's No. 11 is alongside Mark Messier's.
Slapshots. It’s not about 100 for the Rangers next year, it’s about No. 2. https://t.co/5BHgXBrBCN
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) March 22, 2025
Park split his career primarily between the Rangers and the Boston Bruins, and also skated two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. The Hall of Fame defenseman had a very successful career with the Bruins too, but as of this writing hasn't had his number retired by that organization either.
That seemingly opens the door for the Rangers to give a nod to a player from a very successful era of hockey in which the team did just about everything but win the whole thing. The case against Park having his number retired seems to hinge on the fact that he spent just 465 games with the Rangers, and because they traded him to Boston.
Park was arguably second-best defender of his era
Park should have his number retired because he remains one of the top defenders in Blueshirts history, and he had quite an impressive resume of production. He also had the misfortune of being an NHL defenseman during the prime years of Bobby Orr, and as such, he was never awarded the Norris Trophy for top defenseman.
During his eight seasons with the Blueshirts, Park finished second in voting five times, third place once, and off the ballot twice with one year being his rookie season.
Park was named an end of season first-team All-Star three times, and he was an end of season second-team All-Star twice. That should count for something, and it speaks to how good he was during that era. In terms of raw statistics, he posted a line of 95-283-378 in 465 regular season games, and 12-32-44 in 64 playoff games on Broadway. He currently ranks fourth in all-time scoring amongst Rangers defenders, and will soon be passed by Adam Fox.
Park seemingly clears standard established by other jersey retirements
In sixth place is Harry Howell, a player who did have his No. 3 retired, and he spent 1,160 of his 1,411 career games in New York. Howell is the all-time games played leader, and that mark would have gone to Brian Leetch had the organization not traded him toward the end of his career.
What Park accomplished while he was a Ranger is impressive, and he shouldn't be penalized because he was included in a lopsided trade that greatly benefited the Bruins.
Fedorov's retirement snub has long been considered one of the most curious in the league. With his jersey set to go to the rafters in early 2026, the Rangers organization should give the now 77-year-old Park his just due.