The five greatest New York Rangers of all time

On October 7, 2025, the New York Rangers will lace up the skates for the first game of their centennial season. Dating back to 1926, New York has a unique history that now spans 100 years.

Throughout the years, there have been many great players to win the Rangers sweater. Whether it's 1994 captain Mark Messier, who lifted the Stanley Cup after ending a 50-year drought, or Wayne Gretzky, widely known as the best hockey player to exist, the New York Rangers have a unique history filled with greatness.

With the 100th season on the horizon, it's time to rank the top five Rangers in franchise history. There are plenty that have legacies that will be remembered - some of them forever immortalized in the Madison Square Garden rafters. While all deserve their praise, these are five that deserve some more detailed praise.

5. Eddie Giacomin

From 1965 to 1975, whenever No. 1 took the ice, Madison Square Garden would errupt with cheers of "Eddie! Eddie!" That was because of the great Giacomin, who was the best goaltender in Rangers history at the time.

When Giacomin retired, he held Rangers franchise records with 267 wins and 49 shutouts. For nearly entire career in New York, the team was successful, making the playoffs in nine straight seasons; the team never missed the postseason when Giacomin was the starter. He led the Rangers to the 1972 Stanley Cup Final, their first since 1950, where they eventually lost to the Boston Bruins.

While Giocomin's records were passed by later goalies in Mike Richter and Henrik Lundqvist, his Rangers legacy is still cemented as one of the greatest to ever put on the sweater. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987, and shortly after in 1989, he became the second Ranger ever to get his number retired.

To this day, whenever Eddie Giacomin appears at Madison Square Garden, the crowd roars.

4. Rod Gilbert

In the franchise's 100-year history, Gilbert - or "Mr. Ranger" - was the first to accomplish many incredible feats. He was the first Ranger to reach 1,000 points with the franchise, along with 400 goals. He was also the first Ranger ever to have his jersey number retired.

To this day, No. 7 still holds the franchise record with 406 goals, and he is the only player in franchise history to surpass 1,000 points. According to hockeyreference.com, he still leads the franchise in even strength goals, goals created, game-winning goals.

Is it fair to say that Gilbert is the best scorer to ever put on a Rangers' sweater? Yes, absolutely. Over 15 seasons in New York, he scored at least 20 goals in 12 of them and at least 30 in five.

He put up a career-high 97 points twice, which is top 10 in franchise history. For a franchise with so many historic skaters, Gilbert will always remain among the best, and he paved the way for other Rangers' legends.

Still, Gilbert is honored every year by the Rangers, who give out the "Mr. Ranger" award to the player "who best honors Rod's legacy by exemplifying leadership qualities both on and off the ice and making a significant humanitarian contribution to his community." His impact goes far beyond stats on the ice.

3. Henrik Lundqvist

Henrik Lundqvist is not only the best Rangers goaltender of all time, but one of the best to ever play in the National Hockey League. Lundqvist's 459 wins is the sixth-most in NHL history.

Going into his Rangers accolades, "The King" leads the franchise in games played, wins, saves and shutouts. Lundqvist was dominant throughout his entire career in New York, providing memorable moments throughout his entire career.

In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Lundqvist won the Rangers plenty of games, posting a 2.30 GAA and .921 save percentage in 130 games. He leads the franchise in playoff appearances and playoff wins. With No. 30 in goal, the Rangers went 6-2 in Game 7s; Lundqvist's six wins are tied for the most in NHL history with Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy.

While he is not the best Ranger of all time, there might not be a player in the franchise's history that had a bigger impact on the franchise than Henrik Lundqvist. From his play on the ice to his impact in the community, "The King" will always hold a special place in New York.

2. Brian Leetch

From the moment Brian Leetch stepped onto the ice at Madison Square Garden, Rangers fans knew they were watching something special. With his effortless skating, elite vision, and uncanny offensive instincts, Leetch redefined what it meant to be a defenseman—not just in New York, but across the NHL.

Over his 17 seasons with the Rangers, Leetch became one of the most decorated players in franchise history. He holds the team record for most points by a defenseman, with 981, and remains the only Ranger to ever win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP. That came during the team’s legendary 1994 Stanley Cup run, where Leetch led all players in postseason scoring and helped bring an end to a 54-year championship drought.

Leetch’s career was marked by both individual brilliance and team success. He won the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year in 1989, earned two Norris Trophies as the league’s best defenseman, and was named to 10 NHL All-Star Games. Through it all, he played with a quiet intensity and grace that made him a fan favorite and a respected leader on and off the ice.

Though many great defensemen have worn the Rangers sweater, none have matched the all-around impact No. 2 had had. His jersey was retired in 2008, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009—forever solidifying his place as one of the greatest Blueshirts of all time.

1. Mark Messier

When Mark Messier arrived in New York in 1991, he wasn’t just another star player—he was the missing piece. Already a five-time Stanley Cup champion in Edmonton, Messier brought championship pedigree, unmatched leadership, and a fierce determination to deliver something Rangers fans had waited generations for.

That moment finally came in 1994, when Messier led the Rangers to their first Stanley Cup in 54 years. It wasn’t just that they won — it was how they won. His unforgettable guarantee in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final, followed by a natural hat trick to force Game 7, became an instant New York sports legend. And when the Rangers hoisted the Cup on Garden ice, it was Messier who raised it first — tears in his eyes, curse finally broken, history made.

During his two stints with the Rangers, Messier tallied 691 points in 698 games, was a six-time All-Star, and won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP in 1992 —becoming the only Ranger to do so since the 1950s. But more than stats, it was his presence: a captain in the truest sense, one who elevated everyone around him and embraced the weight of expectations in the world’s biggest hockey market.

Messier’s No. 11 was retired by the Rangers in 2006, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007. Though he built a dynasty in Edmonton, it’s what he did in New York —ending a half-century of heartbreak — that forever defines his legacy as the greatest Ranger of all time.