Russ Cohen and I constructed our All-Time New York Rangers' team. Ek in his blog today covered the Islanders, which we discussed on yesterday's podcast. Below are the parameters that Ek laid out in selecting our teams, which I followed for the most part, save for a small tweak or two, which you will see below:
1. The player has to have played at least 100 games in the uniform. regular season and playoffs
2. The evaluation is judged based on ONLY the time spent with the specific organization so no Gordie Howe on the Hurricanes/Whalers
3. Not a longevity test. Purely talent. Pretend these players at their best with the organization are all available to you.
4. Forwards positions don't matter. You are not cutting a truly great talent because you already have 4 centers. You would make him into a wing.
Russ' team:
L1 Jaromir Jagr-Mark Messier-Wayne Gretzky L2- Vic Hadfield-Jean Ratelle-Rod Gilbert L3-Bun Cook-Frank Boucher-Bill Cook L4-Adam Graves-Walt Tkaczuk-Andy Bathgate
Brian Leetch-Harry Howell Brad Park-Ron Greschner Sergei Zubov-James Patrick
Henrik Lundqvist Mike Richter
My team:
I decided to use only those players who played a majority of their career or much of their prime with the Rangers, rather the 100 game threshold. That's why Jaromir Jagr and Wayne Gretzky don't make my list.
Forwards: Vic Hadfield-Jean Ratelle-Rod Gilbert (GAG line) Adam Graves-Mark Messier-Andy Bathgate Bun Cook-Frank Boucher-Bill Cook (the A or bread line) Steve Vickers-Walt Tkaczuk-Bryan Hextall
One possible change is Phil Esposito for Bathgate, moving him to fourth line in place of Hextall and sliding Messier to wing where he started his career). I also debated adding in Anders Hedberg over Hextall. Mika Zibanejad is starting to get strong consideration to be on this team i the future while Mike Gartner, Marian Gaborik and Chris Kreider could also have a case made for each of them.
If I had a checking line, Jan Erixon, Sergei Nemchinov and Dominic Moore would be the trio. If you want, sub in Carl Hagelin or Brian Boyle for Moore.
Defense: Brian Leetch-Harry Howell Brad Park-Ron Greschner Ryan McDonagh-James Patrick
Debated Sergei Zubov on my third pairing rather than Patrick, but he only played 165 games as a Ranger.
Goalies:Lundqvist and Richter
Lots of other goalies to choose from including Eddie Giacomin, Chuck Rayner, VBK, Gilles Villemure, Gump Worsley but Hank and Richter are the clear top two.
WHAT SAY YOU?