New York Rangers

{{Main|History of the New York Rangers}}

File:Tex Rickard.jpg, president of Madison Square Garden, was awarded the Rangers in 1926.]]

George Lewis "Tex" Rickard, president of Madison Square Garden, was awarded an NHL franchise for the 1926–27 season to compete with the New York Americans, who had begun play at the Garden the previous season. The Americans' early success in their inaugural season exceeded expectations, leading Rickard to pursue a second team for the Garden despite promising the Americans that they were going to be the only ice hockey team to play there.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940CEED6133AF935A25751C0A9659C8B63|title=F.Y.I.|last=Boland |first=Ed Jr.|date=February 16, 2003|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 17, 2008}} The team was originally incorporated under the name "New York Giants Professional Hockey Club" during a league meeting with NHL president Frank Calder on April 17, 1926, but during the meeting the name was then changed to "New York Rangers Hockey Club." The new team was quickly nicknamed "Tex's Rangers".{{cite web |last1=Rappaport |first1=Michael |title=The Beginning of the Blueshirts |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/the-beginning-of-the-blueshirts |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 16, 2025 |date=May 15, 2025}}

Rickard's franchise began play in the 1926–27 season. The first team crest was a horse sketched in blue carrying a cowboy waving a hockey stick aloft, before being changed to the familiar "RANGERS" in diagonal.{{Cite book |last1=Boucher |first1=Frank |last2=Frayne |first2=Trent |title=When the Rangers Were Young |year=1973 |page=74 |publisher=Dodd, Mead & Company |publication-place=New York |isbn=0-396-06852-9 |lccn=73007485 |ol=5415647M |oclc=799524 |quote=Even before our training camp opened we were widely known as Tex's Rangers, a name given us by George Daley, the sports editor of the New York Herald Tribune, and one that seemed likely to stick. In fact, our first team crest was that of a horse sketched in blue carrying a cowboy waving a hockey stick aloft. The horse was rearing, with the word TEX'S in a crescent at the top of the emblem with RANGERS looped below. But Rickard didn't like the idea and before the season opened our insignia was changed to the present diagonal splash of the word RANGERS.}} Future Toronto Maple Leafs owner Conn Smythe was hired to assemble the team, however he had a falling-out with Rickard's hockey man, Col. John S. Hammond, and was fired as manager-coach on the eve of the first season – he was paid a then-hefty $2,500 to leave. Smythe was replaced by Pacific Coast Hockey Association co-founder Lester Patrick.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E04E7DC1638F936A25756C0A962958260|title=Sports of The Times; The Original Ranger, Murray Murdoch, Turns 90 |last=Anderson|first=Dave|date=May 15, 1994|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 17, 2008}} The new team Smythe assembled turned out to be a winner. The Rangers won the American Division title their first year but lost to the Boston Bruins in the playoffs.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/nhl19271927.html|title=NHL Standings|publisher=The Internet Hockey Database|access-date=June 17, 2008|archive-date=September 3, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120903211802/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/nhl19271927.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=nhl1927&season=1927&leaguenm=NHL|title=1926–27 NHL Playoff Results|publisher=The Internet Hockey Database|access-date=June 17, 2008|archive-date=June 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616131248/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=nhl1927&season=1927&leaguenm=NHL|url-status=live}}

The team's early success led to players becoming minor celebrities and fixtures in New York City's Roaring Twenties nightlife. It was during this time, playing at the Garden on 49th Street, blocks away from Times Square, that the Rangers obtained their nickname "The Broadway Blueshirts". On December 13, 1929, the Rangers became the first team in the NHL to travel by plane when they hired the Curtiss-Wright Corporation to fly them to Toronto for a game against the Maple Leafs, which they lost 7–6.{{Cite book|last=Dryden|first=Steve|title=The Hockey News: Century Of Hockey|year=2000|page=32|publisher=McClelland & Stewart Ltd.|location=Toronto|isbn=0-7710-4179-9}}

In only the second season, they won the 1928 Stanley Cup, defeating the Montreal Maroons three games to two.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/cup02/cuphistory.htm|title=Stanley Cup history|date=June 14, 2002|work=USA Today|access-date=June 17, 2008|archive-date=January 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107193424/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/cup02/cuphistory.htm|url-status=live}} One of the most memorable stories that emerged from the finals involved Patrick playing in goal at the age of 44. At the time, teams were not required to dress a backup goaltender. When the Rangers' starting goaltender, Lorne Chabot, left a game with an eye injury, Maroons head coach Eddie Gerard vetoed Patrick's original choice for an emergency replacement, Alex Connell of the Ottawa Senators, who was in attendance. An angry Patrick lined up between the pipes for two periods in game 2 of the finals, allowing one goal to Maroons center Nels Stewart. Frank Boucher scored the game-winning goal in overtime for New York.{{cite news|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2004/06/05/Lightning/Injuries_sideline_pla.shtml|title=Injuries sideline players only rarely|last=Brink|first=Graham|date=June 5, 2004|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|access-date=June 17, 2008|archive-date=January 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111001956/http://www.sptimes.com/2004/06/05/Lightning/Injuries_sideline_pla.shtml|url-status=live}}

After a loss to the Bruins in the 1929 Stanley Cup Finals{{Cite news|last=Anderson|first=Dave|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/14/sports/sports-of-the-times-at-boston-garden-there-s-much-more-gold-than-green.html|title=Sports of The Times – At Boston Garden, There's Much More Gold Than Green|work=The New York Times|date=May 14, 1995|access-date=June 17, 2008|archive-date=January 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131065831/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/14/sports/sports-of-the-times-at-boston-garden-there-s-much-more-gold-than-green.html|url-status=live}} and an early struggle in the early 1930s, the Rangers, led by brothers Bill and Bun Cook on the right and left wings, respectively, and Frank Boucher at center, defeated the Maple Leafs in the 1933 Stanley Cup Finals to win their second Stanley Cup. The Rangers spent the rest of the 1930s playing close to 0.500 hockey until their next Cup win. Lester Patrick stepped down as head coach and was replaced by Frank Boucher.{{cite web|url=http://rangers.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=NHLPage&bcid=tra_history|title=Team History|website=New York Rangers|access-date=June 17, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411054021/http://rangers.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=NHLPage&bcid=tra_history|archive-date=April 11, 2008}}

File:The Bread Line.jpg. Consisting of Bill Cook, Bun Cook and Frank Boucher, they played together from 1926 to 1937.]]

In the 1939–40 season, the Rangers finished the regular season in second place behind Boston. The two teams then met in the first round of the playoffs. The Bruins gained a two-games-to-one series lead from New York, but the Rangers recovered to win three-straight games, defeating the first-place Bruins four games to two. The Rangers' first-round victory gave them a bye until the finals. The Detroit Red Wings defeated the New York Americans in their first-round best-of-three series two games to one, and the Toronto Maple Leafs ousted the Chicago Black Hawks two games to none. The Maple Leafs then swept Detroit a best-of-three series to advance to the finals. The 1940 Stanley Cup Finals commenced in Madison Square Garden. In game 1, the Rangers needed overtime to gain a 1–0 series lead, but they won game two more easily with a 6–2 victory. The series then shifted to Toronto, where the Maple Leafs won the next two games, tying the series at two games apiece. In games 5 and 6, the Rangers won in overtime, taking the series four games to two to earn their third Stanley Cup.

However, the Rangers collapsed by the mid-1940s, losing games by scores as lopsided as 15–0. In 1943–44, goaltender Ken McAuley led the league with 39 losses and 310 goals allowed in 50 games played; his 6.24 goals-against average that year remains the worst in NHL history by a goaltender playing at least 25 games in a season.{{cite web|title=Rocky Records: The worst seasons by goaltenders in NHL history|url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/rocky-records-the-worst-seasons-by-goaltenders-in-nhl-history|author=Ellis, Steven|magazine=The Hockey News|access-date=December 11, 2021|date=March 6, 2020|archive-date=December 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211160926/https://thehockeynews.com/news/rocky-records-the-worst-seasons-by-goaltenders-in-nhl-history|url-status=live}} They missed the playoffs for five consecutive seasons before earning the fourth and final playoff spot in 1947–48. They lost in the first round and missed the playoffs again in 1948–49. In the 1950 Stanley Cup Finals, the Rangers were forced to play all of their games, including "home" games, in Toronto, while the circus was held at the Garden. They lost to the Detroit Red Wings in overtime in the seventh game of the finals.

During this time, Red Wings owner James E. Norris became the largest stockholder in the Garden. However, he did not buy controlling interest in the arena, which would have violated the NHL's rule against one person owning more than one team. Nonetheless, he had enough support on the board to exercise de facto control. The Rangers remained a mark of futility in the NHL for most of the remainder of the Original Six era, missing the playoffs in 12 of the next 16 years. However, the team was rejuvenated in the late 1960s, symbolized by moving into the fourth version of Madison Square Garden in 1968. A year earlier, they made the playoffs for the first time in five years on the strength of rookie goaltender Eddie Giacomin and 37-year-old former 1950s Montreal Canadiens star right wing Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion, signed out of retirement in 1966.

File:Jean Ratelle 1972.JPG played with the Rangers from 1960 to 1975.]]

The Rangers made the finals twice in the 1970s, but lost both times to two 1970s powerhouses; in six games to the Boston Bruins in 1972, who were led by such stars as Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge, Johnny Bucyk and Wayne Cashman; and in five games to the Canadiens in 1979, who had Bob Gainey, Guy Lafleur, Larry Robinson, Ken Dryden, Guy Lapointe and Serge Savard.

The Rangers reached the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals despite losing high-scoring center Jean Ratelle (who had been on pace over Bruin Phil Esposito to become the first Ranger since Bryan Hextall in 1942 to lead the NHL in scoring) to injury during the stretch drive of the regular season. The strength of players such as Brad Park, Jean Ratelle, Vic Hadfield and Rod Gilbert (the last three constructing the famed "GAG line", standing for "goal-a-game") carried them through the playoffs. They defeated the defending-champion Canadiens in the first round and the Chicago Black Hawks in the second, but lost to the Bruins in the finals.

In the 1972 playoffs, with Ratelle sidelined with a broken ankle and Gilbert hampered by injuries, Walt Tkaczuk played a key role as the Rangers defeated the defending champion Canadiens and the previous year's finalists, the Black Hawks, to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. While the Rangers lost to the Boston Bruins in six games, Tkaczuk earned much respect for holding the Bruins' Phil Esposito without a goal in the series.

The Rangers played a legendary conference semifinals series against the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1974 playoffs, losing in seven games and becoming the first Original Six club to lose a playoff series to a 1967 expansion team. This series was noted for a game 7 fight between Dale Rolfe of the Rangers and Dave Schultz of the Flyers.{{cite news|title=Schultz vs. Rolfe: Fight resonates 40 years later|date=April 26, 2014|first=Mike|last=Sielski|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|url=http://articles.philly.com/2014-04-26/sports/49408641_1_dave-schultz-dale-rolfe-carl-hagelin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120022644/http://articles.philly.com/2014-04-26/sports/49408641_1_dave-schultz-dale-rolfe-carl-hagelin|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 20, 2015|access-date=March 28, 2015}} The Rangers' new rivals, the New York Islanders, who entered the League in 1972–73 after paying a hefty territorial fee – some $4 million – to the Rangers, were their first-round opponents in the 1975 playoffs. After splitting the first two games, the Islanders defeated the more-established Rangers 11 seconds into overtime of the deciding game 3, establishing a rivalry that continued to grow for years.

In a blockbuster trade with the Boston Bruins, the Rangers acquired Esposito and Carol Vadnais from the Bruins for Park, Ratelle and Joe Zanussi in 1975, while Swedish stars Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson jumped to the Rangers from the League's rival, the World Hockey Association (WHA) in 1978. In the 1979 Stanley Cup playoffs, New York defeated the surging Islanders in the conference semifinals and advanced to the 1979 Stanley Cup Finals, losing to the Canadiens. In four consecutive playoffs (1981–1984), the Rangers were eliminated by the rival Islanders, who went on to win the Stanley Cup in 1981, 1982 and 1983.

File:Marcel Dionne 1987 (2).JPG, who signed with Rangers in the 1986 off-season, in 1987]]

The Rangers stayed competitive through the 1980s and early 1990s, making the playoffs each year. In the 1986 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Rangers, behind the play of rookie goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck, upended the Patrick Division-winning Flyers in five games followed by a six-game win over the Washington Capitals in the Patrick Division finals. Montreal, however, disposed of the Rangers in the Wales Conference finals behind a rookie goaltender of their own, Patrick Roy. For the 1986–87 season, the team acquired superstar center Marcel Dionne after almost 12 years with the Los Angeles Kings.{{cite news|author1=Craig Wolff|title=Rangers Get Kings' Dionne|website=The New York Times|access-date=March 28, 2015|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/03/11/sports/rangers-get-kings-dionne.html|date=March 11, 1987|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402183645/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/03/11/sports/rangers-get-kings-dionne.html|url-status=live}} In 1988, while a Ranger, Dionne moved into third place in NHL career goals scored. Dionne spent nine games in the minors before retiring during the 1988–89 season.

Frustration was at its peak when the 1991–92 Rangers captured the Presidents' Trophy. They took a 2–1 series lead on the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins and then faltered in three-straight (some observers note a Ron Francis slapshot from outside the blue line that eluded goaltender Mike Richter as the series' turning point).{{cite magazine|last1=Kay|first1=Jason|title=Greatest Teams of All-Time: 1991–92 Pittsburgh Penguins|url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/greatest-teams-of-all-time-1991-92-pittsburgh-penguins/|magazine=The Hockey News|access-date=April 1, 2015|date=December 31, 2013|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402125418/http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/greatest-teams-of-all-time-1991-92-pittsburgh-penguins/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Bondy|first1=Filip|title=Hockey – Rangers Squander Lead and Lose|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/10/sports/hockey-rangers-squander-lead-and-lose.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 1, 2015|date=May 10, 1992|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402190113/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/10/sports/hockey-rangers-squander-lead-and-lose.html|url-status=live}} The following year, injuries and a 1–11 regular season finish landed the Rangers at the bottom of the Patrick Division after being in a playoff position for much of the season. Head coach Roger Neilson did not finish the season.

During this period, the Rangers were owned by Gulf+Western, which was renamed to Paramount Communications in 1989, and sold to Viacom in 1994. Viacom then sold the team to ITT Corporation and Cablevision, and a couple of years later, ITT sold their ownership stake to Cablevision, who owned the team until 2010, when they spun off the MSG properties as their own company.

The 1993–94 season was the Rangers' most successful in 54 years, as Mike Keenan coached the Rangers to the 1994 Stanley Cup championship, winning their fourth Cup.{{Cite news|last=Vecsey|first=George|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/23/sports/sports-of-the-times-houston-finally-has-an-edge.html|title=Sports of The Times; Houston Finally Has an Edge|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 24, 1994|access-date=June 17, 2008|author-link=George Vecsey|archive-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512161554/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/23/sports/sports-of-the-times-houston-finally-has-an-edge.html|url-status=live}} By the 1993–94 season, the Rangers had acquired seven players who had been part of the Edmonton Oilers' Cup-winning teams: Oilers captain (and new Rangers captain) Mark Messier, Adam Graves, Kevin Lowe, Jeff Beukeboom, Esa Tikkanen, Craig MacTavish and Glenn Anderson. Graves set a team record with 52 goals, breaking the prior record of 50 held by Vic Hadfield. The Rangers clinched the Presidents' Trophy by finishing with the best record in the NHL at 52–24–8, setting a franchise record with 112 points earned.{{cite web|title=Caps spoil Rangers' chance to claim Presidents' Trophy|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/gametracker/recap/NHL_20120407_WAS@NYR/caps-spoil-rangers-chance-to-claim-presidents-trophy|work=CBS Sports|access-date=April 1, 2015|date=April 7, 2012|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402104343/http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/gametracker/recap/NHL_20120407_WAS@NYR/caps-spoil-rangers-chance-to-claim-presidents-trophy|url-status=live}}

The Rangers successfully made it past the first two rounds of the playoffs, sweeping the New York Islanders, and then defeating the Washington Capitals in five games. However, in the conference finals against the third-seeded New Jersey Devils, the Rangers lost the series opener at home in double overtime, but won the next two games before the Devils defeated them 3–1 and 4–1. The series headed back to the Meadowlands for the sixth game, in which Messier, who had guaranteed a win to the press, scored three times in the final period to lead the Rangers to a 4–2 win and set up a seventh game back at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers won game 7, 2–1, when Stephane Matteau scored a goal in double overtime, leading the team to the finals for the first time since 1979.

File:Wgretz edit2.jpg as a free agent in the 1996 off-season.]]

Up against the Vancouver Canucks, the Rangers again lost the series opener at home in overtime. The Rangers bounced back and they won the next three games, allowing the Canucks just four goals. However, the Canucks won the next two 6–3 and 4–1 to set up a seventh game, for the second consecutive series, at home.{{Cite book|last=Morrison|first=Scott|title=Hockey Night in Canada: My Greatest Day|year=2008|pages=[https://archive.org/details/mygreatestday50p0000morr/page/106 106–109]|publisher=Key Porter Books|location=Toronto|isbn=978-1-55470-086-8|author-link=Scott Morrison (journalist)|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/mygreatestday50p0000morr/page/106}} In the seventh game, the Rangers took a 2–0 first period lead, with Messier scoring later to put the Rangers up 3–1, the eventual Cup winning goal as the home team won 3–2, becoming the first (and to this date, only) player to captain two teams to the Stanley Cup.{{cite web|last1=Popplewell|first1=Brett|title=How Messier emerged from Gretzky's shadow|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/mark-messiers-career-wayne-gretzkys-shadow-but-he-made-sure-that-it-didnt-end-that-way/|publisher=Sportsnet|access-date=April 1, 2015|date=October 10, 2014|archive-date=March 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331184948/http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/mark-messiers-career-wayne-gretzkys-shadow-but-he-made-sure-that-it-didnt-end-that-way/|url-status=live}} Brian Leetch became the first American-born player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP,{{cite web|title=Brian Leetch: The Road to the 1994 Conn Smythe Trophy Part One|date=November 21, 2012|first=Michael|last=Rappaport|website=The Hockey Writers|url=http://thehockeywriters.com/brian-leetch-the-road-to-the-1994-conn-smythe-trophy-part-one/|access-date=March 28, 2015|archive-date=April 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406022417/http://thehockeywriters.com/brian-leetch-the-road-to-the-1994-conn-smythe-trophy-part-one/|url-status=live}} while Alexander Karpovtsev, Alexei Kovalev, Sergei Nemchinov and Sergei Zubov became the first Russians to have their names engraved on the Cup.{{cite news|last1=Vecsey|first1=George|title=Stanley Cup Finals – Russian Rangers Say Nyet to Possible Defeat|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/15/sports/stanley-cup-finals-russian-rangers-say-nyet-to-possible-defeat.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 1, 2015|date=June 15, 1994|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402115747/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/15/sports/stanley-cup-finals-russian-rangers-say-nyet-to-possible-defeat.html|url-status=live}}

Despite having coached the Rangers to a regular season first-place finish and the Stanley Cup victory, head coach Mike Keenan left after a dispute with general manager Neil Smith. During the lockout-shortened 1994–95 season, the Rangers won their first-round series with the Quebec Nordiques, but lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Philadelphia Flyers in four games with succeeding head coach Colin Campbell. General manager Neil Smith orchestrated a deal that sent Sergei Zubov and center Petr Nedved to Pittsburgh in exchange for defenseman Ulf Samuelsson and left-winger Luc Robitaille in the summer of 1995. The Rangers defeated the Canadiens in six games in the 1996 playoffs, but lost their second-round series to the Penguins in five games.

The Rangers then acquired Wayne Gretzky in 1996. Gretzky's greatest accomplishment with the Rangers was leading them to the 1997 conference finals, where they lost 4–1 to the Flyers, who were then led by Eric Lindros. Mark Messier, a former Oiler teammate of Gretzky's, left in the summer of 1997 and the team failed in a bid to replace him with Colorado Avalanche superstar Joe Sakic.{{cite web | url=http://www.hockeyrodent.com/RODENTVE.HTM | title=The Curse | author=The Hockey Rodent | date=February 9, 2004 | access-date=August 8, 2007 | archive-date=August 10, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810040035/http://www.hockeyrodent.com/RODENTVE.HTM | url-status=live}} The Rangers missed the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons, finishing no higher than fourth in their division. Gretzky retired at the end of the 1998–99 season.

In March 2000, Smith was fired along with head coach John Muckler, and that summer, James Dolan hired Glen Sather to replace him.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rangers-hire-sather/ | title=Rangers Hire Sather | agency=Associated Press | date=May 31, 2000 | access-date=August 8, 2007 | publisher=CBS News}} By the end of the 2000–01 season, the Rangers had landed a significant amount of star power. Messier had returned to New York, Theoren Fleury joined the Rangers after spending most of his career with the Calgary Flames{{cite news|url=http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyColoradoArchive/jul8_fle.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802112952/http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyColoradoArchive/jul8_fle.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=August 2, 2012 | title=Theo Fleury signs with Rangers | agency=Associated Press | date=July 8, 1999 | access-date=August 8, 2007}} and Eric Lindros was traded to the Rangers by the Flyers.{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/news/2001/08/24/lindros_rangers_ap/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091031070443/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/news/2001/08/24/lindros_rangers_ap/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 31, 2009 | title=Lindros joins Rangers nine years after first trade | agency=Associated Press | date=August 24, 2001 | access-date=August 8, 2007 | publisher=CNN}} The Rangers also acquired Pavel Bure late in 2001–02 from the Florida Panthers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/stories/2002-03-18-bure.htm | title=Panthers trade Pavel Bure to Rangers | last=Allen | first=Kevin |work=USA Today | date=March 19, 2002 | access-date=August 8, 2007}} It was also the rookie season of goalie Dan Blackburn, who made the NHL All-Rookie Team even as the Rangers fell back to last place in the Conference,{{cite press release|url=http://www.newyorkrangers.com/pressbox/pressreleases.asp?id=615 | title=Dan Blackburn Selected to 2001–02 NHL All-Rookie Team | publisher=New York Rangers | date=June 20, 2002 | access-date=January 5, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060509035518/http://www.nyrangers.com/pressbox/pressreleases.asp?id=615 | archive-date=May 9, 2006}} and finished out of the playoffs. Later years saw other stars such as Alexei Kovalev, Jaromir Jagr, Martin Rucinsky and Bobby Holik added, but in 2002–03 and 2003–04, the team again missed the playoffs. Blackburn started strongly in 2002–03, but burned out after 17 games. He missed 2003–04 due to mononucleosis and a damaged nerve in his left shoulder. Blackburn could not rehabilitate the damaged nerve, and was forced to retire at the age of 22.{{cite press release|url=http://www.newyorkrangers.com/pressbox/pressreleases.asp?id=1730 | title=Dan Blackburn to Retire | publisher=New York Rangers | date=May 25, 2005 | access-date=January 5, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060509044805/http://www.nyrangers.com/pressbox/pressreleases.asp?id=1730 | archive-date=May 9, 2006}} Towards the end of the 2003–04 season, general manager Glen Sather finally gave in to a rebuilding process by trading away Brian Leetch, Alexei Kovalev, and eight others for numerous prospects and draft picks. With the retirements of Pavel Bure and Mark Messier, as well as Eric Lindros signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the post-lockout Rangers, under new head coach Tom Renney, moved away from high-priced veterans towards a group of talented young players, such as Petr Prucha, Dominic Moore and Blair Betts.

File:Henrik Lundqvist - New York Rangers.jpg during the 2005–06 season led to the Rangers' best record since 1993–94.]]

The Rangers were expected to struggle during the 2005–06 season, but behind stellar performances by Swedish rookie goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, the Rangers finished the season with a record of 44–26–12, their best record since 1993–94. Jagr broke the Rangers' single-season points record with a first-period assist in a 5–1 win against the New York Islanders on March 29, 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorkrangers.com/gametime/boxscore_archive.asp?BoxScore=boxscore_03292006.asp | title=Box Score – Rangers 5, Islanders 1 | date=March 29, 2006 | access-date=August 8, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070417102804/http://www.newyorkrangers.com/gametime/boxscore_archive.asp?BoxScore=boxscore_03292006.asp |archive-date =April 17, 2007}} The assist gave him 110 points on the season, breaking Jean Ratelle's record.{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorkrangers.com/gametime/gamenotes.asp?id=960&gametype=Post | title=Game Notes – Rangers 5, Islanders 1 | date=March 29, 2006 | access-date=August 8, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929095546/http://www.newyorkrangers.com/gametime/gamenotes.asp?id=960&gametype=Post |archive-date =September 29, 2007}} Less than two weeks later, on April 8, Jagr scored his 53rd goal of the season against the Boston Bruins, breaking the club record previously held by Adam Graves.{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorkrangers.com/gametime/gamenotes.asp?id=968&gametype=Post | title=Game Notes – Rangers 4, Boston Bruins 3 (OT) | date=April 8, 2006 | access-date=August 8, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926222646/http://www.newyorkrangers.com/gametime/gamenotes.asp?id=968&gametype=Post |archive-date =September 26, 2007}} Two games prior, on April 4, the Rangers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 3–2, in a shootout, to clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 1996–97.{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorkrangers.com/gametime/gamenotes.asp?id=964&gametype=Post | title=Game Notes – Rangers 3, Philadelphia Flyers 2 (SO) | date=April 4, 2006 | access-date=August 8, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929083446/http://www.newyorkrangers.com/gametime/gamenotes.asp?id=964&gametype=Post |archive-date =September 29, 2007}} In the 2006 conference quarterfinals, the Rangers drew a matchup with the Devils and were defeated in a four-game sweep. Jagr fell two points short of winning his sixth Art Ross Trophy as scoring champion in 2005–06, but did win his third Pearson Award as the players' choice for the most outstanding player.

File:Jaromir Jagr picks stick 2008-05-04.JPG was named team captain at the start of the 2006–07 NHL season.]]

Realizing that the team had trouble scoring goals in the 2005–06 campaign, the Rangers signed Triple Gold Club winner and 12-time 30-goal scorer Brendan Shanahan to a one-year contract. On October 5, 2006, opening night of the 2006–07 season, Jagr was named the first team captain since Mark Messier's retirement.{{cite press release|url=http://www.newyorkrangers.com/pressbox/pressreleases.asp?id=2317 | title= Jagr named 24th captain in Rangers history | publisher=New York Rangers | date=October 5, 2006 | access-date=January 5, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061125170904/http://www.nyrangers.com/pressbox/pressreleases.asp?id=2317 | archive-date=November 25, 2006}} Though the Rangers started slow in the first half of the 2006–07 season, the second half was dominated by the stellar goaltending of Henrik Lundqvist. On February 5, 2007, the Rangers acquired agitating forward Sean Avery in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings, which brought further intensity to the team. Despite losing several players to injury in March, the Rangers went 10–2–3 in the month and clinched a playoff berth for the second consecutive season. Facing the Atlanta Thrashers in the first round of the 2007 playoffs, the Rangers swept the series. However, they were eliminated in the next round by the Buffalo Sabres.

At the 2007 NHL entry draft, the Rangers chose Alexei Cherepanov 17th overall, who had been ranked by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau as the number one European skater.{{Cite news |url=http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/SPORTS01/706270387/1046/SPORTS0107 |title=Rangers have high hopes for top pick Cherepanov |first=Sam |last=Weinman |work=The Journal News |date=June 27, 2007 |access-date=August 8, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514163316/http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20070627%2FSPORTS01%2F706270387%2F1046%2FSPORTS0107 |archive-date=May 14, 2014}} Despite the departure of Michael Nylander, the 2007 free agency season started with a bang for the Rangers, with the signing of two high-profile centerman; Scott Gomez on a seven-year contract, as well as Chris Drury on a five-year deal.{{Cite news |url=http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070702/SPORTS01/707020347/1046/SPORTS0107 |title=Rangers sign top tier centers Drury, Gomez |first=Sam |last=Weinman |work=The Journal News |date=July 2, 2007 |access-date=August 8, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121075809/http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20070702%2FSPORTS01%2F707020347%2F1046%2FSPORTS0107 |archive-date=January 21, 2015}} The moves, along with retaining most other key players, had been met favorably, and the Rangers made the playoffs for the third consecutive season and the second round for the second season in a row. Despite these streaks, the Rangers failed to meet expectations, losing their second-round series to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The following off-season saw the departures of captain Jaromir Jagr to the KHL, and alternate captains Martin Straka and Brendan Shanahan, who left to play in the Czech Republic and with the New Jersey Devils, respectively.

File:John Tortorella.jpg was named the team's head coach in 2009, maintaining the position until 2013.]]

Following Jagr's departure, Chris Drury was named captain on October 3, 2008. The Rangers were one of four NHL teams to open the 2008–09 season in Europe, being featured in the Victoria Cup final, defeating the European Champions Cup winner Metallurg Magnitogorsk in Bern, Switzerland. This was followed by two NHL regular season games against Tampa Bay in Prague on October 4 and 5, and the Rangers won both games. The Rangers tied the 1983–84 Rangers for the best start in franchise history with a 5–0 record, and set the franchise record for best start in a season through the first 13 games by going 10–2–1 for 21 points, with the 10 wins and 21 points each becoming franchise records. A successful start to the season, however, was tempered with by the news of the sudden death of 2007 first-round pick Alexei Cherepanov, which occurred during a KHL game in Russia on October 13.{{cite web |last1=Burnside |first1=Scott |title=Cherepanov collapses on bench during game, dies of apparent heart attack |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=3641566 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=May 3, 2024 |date=October 13, 2008}} A disappointing second half of the season followed. After the Rangers went 2–7–3 in 12 games, coach Tom Renney was fired, with 2004 Stanley Cup and Jack Adams Award winner John Tortorella named as his replacement.{{cite web|url=http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x898854922/Reeling-New-York-Rangers-fire-coach|title=NHL notes: Renney rendered by Rangers|date=February 23, 2009|work=Journal Star news services|access-date=January 6, 2011|archive-date=March 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320005638/http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x898854922/Reeling-New-York-Rangers-fire-coach|url-status=live}} The Rangers made the 2009 playoffs, but lost their opening-round series to the Washington Capitals four games to three.

On June 30, 2009, the Rangers traded Scott Gomez, Tom Pyatt, and Michael Busto to the Montreal Canadiens for Ryan McDonagh, Chris Higgins, Pavel Valentenko, and Doug Janik. With Gomez's salary cap hit gone, the Rangers signed superstar Marian Gaborik on the first day of free agency. In the 2009–10 season, the Rangers failed to make the playoffs for the first time in five years. There was some criticism that the off-season acquisition of Gaborik had not paid off, despite Gaborik scoring 42 goals and 86 points in the season. The final two games of the season were a home-and-home against the Philadelphia Flyers, with both teams competing for the same playoff spot. The Rangers skated away with the victory in the first game, keeping their postseason hopes alive. In the second game, the Flyers peppered Henrik Lundqvist with 47 shots, but scored only once. The game went to a shootout, and the Flyers prevailed to move on to the playoffs.

File:Ryan Callahan 2011.png was named the 26th captain in Rangers history.]]

For the 2010–11 season, the team waived defenseman Wade Redden and brought in several players to achieve more balanced scoring. On November 12, the Rangers unveiled the new Heritage Jersey for the first time at the ice rink at Rockefeller Center in a special ceremony featuring Rangers alumni and current players discussing the history of the storied franchise. The club wore the jersey for the first time on November 17 when they played the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers' playoff chances came down to the final day of the regular season for the second-straight year. The team defeated the New Jersey Devils and passed the Carolina Hurricanes in the standings, putting the Rangers in the playoffs after missing out the previous season. The Rangers faced Washington in the first round and lost the series in five games. It was the second time in three years that the Capitals eliminated the Rangers from the playoffs, fueling a rivalry that lasted several seasons.

On May 13, 2011, Rangers forward Derek Boogaard was found dead in his Minnesota apartment.{{cite web | url=http://ca.news.yahoo.com/york-rangers-forward-derek-boogaard-dead-28-025813197.html | title=New York Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard found dead at 28 | access-date=May 16, 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518044517/http://ca.news.yahoo.com/york-rangers-forward-derek-boogaard-dead-28-025813197.html | archive-date=May 18, 2011}} On June 29, the Rangers bought out captain Chris Drury's contract. On July 3, the Rangers signed free agent Brad Richards to a nine-year contract.{{cite web |last1=Rosen |first1=Dan |title=Richards signs multi-year deal with Rangers |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/richards-signs-multi-year-deal-with-rangers/c-568285 |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009012220/https://www.nhl.com/news/richards-signs-multi-year-deal-with-rangers/c-568285 |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |date=July 3, 2011}} On September 12, Ryan Callahan was named the 26th captain in the Rangers' history.{{cite news|last1=Klein|first1=Jeff Z.|last2=Belson|first2=Ken|title=Callahan Fills Drury's Role as Captain of Rangers|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/13/sports/hockey/ryan-callahan-is-named-rangers-26th-captain.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 1, 2015|date=September 12, 2011}} He became the fifth-youngest captain in team history.{{cite web|last1=Urtz|first1=Tom Jr.|title=New York Rangers: Where Could Ryan Callahan Rank in Lineage of Ranger Captains?|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/858722-ny-rangers-where-could-ryan-callahan-rank-amongst-the-teams-25-captains|website=Bleacher Report|access-date=April 1, 2015|date=September 20, 2011|archive-date=April 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403090921/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/858722-ny-rangers-where-could-ryan-callahan-rank-amongst-the-teams-25-captains|url-status=live}} Brad Richards and Marc Staal were named alternate captains on the same day.

In the 2011–12 season, the team finished as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, recording 51 wins and 109 points. Their leading scorer was Marian Gaborik, who finished the season with 41 goals and 76 points while playing all 82 games. In the first round of the playoffs, the Rangers faced the eighth-seeded Ottawa Senators. After falling behind 3–2 in the series, the Rangers bounced back to win game 6 in Ottawa as well as game 7 at home. In the next round, the Rangers once again faced the Capitals. In game 3, Gaborik scored to win 14:41 into the third overtime, giving the Rangers a 2–1 lead in the series, but Washington came back to tie the series 2–2 in game 4. Washington was up by one during the final minutes of game 5 when Joel Ward committed a high-sticking double-minor. Richards scored to tie with just 6.6 seconds remaining, and in overtime, defenseman Marc Staal scored on the second penalty of the double-minor just 1:35 into overtime. Rangers went on to win the series 4–3, sending them to the conference finals for the first time since 1997. In the conference finals, they faced the New Jersey Devils, a major divisional rival. After leading the series 2–1, the Rangers lost three games in a row, losing game 6 in New Jersey with a goal by Devils forward Adam Henrique at 1:03 in overtime, giving the Devils a 4–2 series win and ending the Rangers' season.

On July 23, 2012, the Rangers traded Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Tim Erixon and a 2013 first-round draft pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Rick Nash, Steven Delisle, and a 2013 conditional third-round pick.{{cite web |title=Nash traded to Rangers in five-player deal |first=Dave |last=Lozo |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=638429 |website=National Hockey League |date=July 23, 2012 |access-date=March 9, 2015 |archive-date=July 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724041655/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=638429 |url-status=live}} At the 2013 NHL trade deadline on April 3, the Rangers then traded Marian Gaborik and Steven Delisle to Columbus for Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett, John Moore, and a 2014 sixth-round draft pick.{{cite news |title=Rangers trade Marian Gaborik |first=Katie |last=Strang |url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/nhl/story/_/id/9130225/marian-gaborik-traded-new-york-rangers-columbus-blue-jackets |publisher=ESPNNewYork.com |date=April 3, 2013 |access-date=March 9, 2015 |archive-date=April 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427140531/http://www.espn.com/new-york/nhl/story/_/id/9130225/marian-gaborik-traded-new-york-rangers-columbus-blue-jackets |url-status=live}} After the Rangers were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by Boston, management fired head coach John Tortorella, and on June 21, 2013, general manager Glen Sather formally introduced former Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault as Tortorella's replacement.{{cite news |title=Rangers hire new coach Vigneault with 5-year deal |first=Ira |last=Podell |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/hockey/nhl/article/20130622033103718540808/ |agency=Associated Press |publisher=CBC.ca |date=June 22, 2013 |access-date=June 9, 2014 |archive-date=December 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224063858/http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/hockey/nhl/article/20130622033103718540808/ |url-status=live}}

File:Rick Nash Rangers.jpg in a multi-player trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2012.]]

A trade late in the 2013–14 season contributed to the Rangers reaching the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals. On March 5, 2014, the Rangers traded their captain Ryan Callahan, along with a first-round draft pick in 2015, a conditional second-round pick in 2014, and a conditional seventh-round pick in 2015, for Tampa Bay captain Martin St. Louis. The trade occurred both due to the Rangers' and Callahan's inability to reach a contract extension, as well as St. Louis' growing tension with the Lightning organization and subsequent request to be traded to New York. The 2013–14 Rangers were already a strong team, setting a new franchise record of 25 road game wins. New York defeated Philadelphia in seven games in the first round of the 2014 playoffs, and in the next round rallied from a 3–1 series deficit for the first time in their history to defeat Pittsburgh in seven games. They then defeated the Montreal Canadiens in six games to become the Eastern Conference champions, moving on to the Cup Finals, their first visit in 20 years, to face 2012 champions Los Angeles Kings. The Rangers led the first two games by two goals but lost each game in overtime, and were then shut-out at home 3–0 in game 3. The Kings outshot the Rangers in game 4, but the Rangers staved off elimination by winning the game 2–1. They had another lead in game 5, but after the game was tied and subsequently sent to overtime, Kings defenseman Alec Martinez scored with 5:17 left in the second overtime period to win the game for Los Angeles, 3–2, as well as the Stanley Cup.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/14/us/stanley-cup-kings/ |title=Los Angeles Kings win Stanley Cup in thriller |publisher=CNN |date=June 14, 2014 |access-date=July 8, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714234746/http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/14/us/stanley-cup-kings/ |url-status=live}}

On June 20, 2014, a week after their season ended, the Rangers bought-out the remaining six years of Brad Richards' contract in order to free up salary cap space.{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/brad-richards-bought-out-by-rangers-1.2682344 |title=Brad Richards bought out by Rangers – NHL on CBC Sports – Hockey news, opinion, scores, stats, standings |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=July 8, 2014 |archive-date=July 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709222346/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/brad-richards-bought-out-by-rangers-1.2682344 |url-status=live}} On October 6, defenseman Ryan McDonagh was named the Rangers' 27th captain in team history, with Derek Stepan, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal and Martin St. Louis serving as alternates. In 2014–15, the Rangers won the Presidents' Trophy for the third time in franchise history and their seventh division title by finishing with the best record in the NHL at 53–22–7. The 53 wins and 113 points both set franchise records. The team also won 28 road games in the regular season, breaking the franchise record set the previous season. In the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Rangers dispatched the Pittsburgh Penguins in five games in the first round. The Rangers then came back from a 3–1 series deficit to win their second-round series against the Capitals in seven games, becoming the first team in NHL history to battle back from a 3–1 deficit in back-to-back seasons and sending the Rangers to the conference finals for the third time in four years. However, after winning the first game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Rangers lost game 2 by four goals. The two teams split the first four games of the series, but the Rangers lost game 5 by a 2–0 scoreline at home. In game 6, Derick Brassard scored a hat-trick and assisted on two other goals in an emphatic 7–3 victory to force game 7 in New York.{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-tbl/2015/05/26/2014030316 | title=Brassard, Rangers down Lightning to force game seven | website=National Hockey League | access-date=May 26, 2015 | archive-date=March 7, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307052936/https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-tbl/2015/05/26/2014030316 | url-status=live}} There, the Lightning shutout the Rangers 2–0, ending the Rangers' season, and marking the first occasion the Rangers had ever lost a game 7 at home in franchise history as well as the first time they lost an elimination game at home since they lost to Buffalo in 2007.{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-tbl/2015/05/29/2014030317 | title=Lightning defeat Rangers, advance to Cup Final | website=National Hockey League | access-date=May 29, 2015 | archive-date=May 20, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520154013/https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-tbl/2015/05/29/2014030317 | url-status=live}}

On June 27, 2015, the Rangers traded Carl Hagelin to the Anaheim Ducks, Cam Talbot and a draft pick to the Edmonton Oilers, and prospect Ryan Haggerty to the Chicago Blackhawks for Antti Raanta, who replaced Talbot as Lundqvist's backup goaltender.{{cite web |last1=Kreda |first1=Allan |title=Rangers Swap Forwards and Trade Away Cam Talbot |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/28/sports/hockey/rangers-swap-forwards-and-trade-away-camtalbot.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=May 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001225301/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/28/sports/hockey/rangers-swap-forwards-and-trade-away-camtalbot.html |archive-date=October 1, 2015 |date=June 27, 2015}}{{cite web|title=Trades completed during 2015 NHL Draft weekend|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/trades-completed-during-2015-nhl-draft-weekend/c-772519|website=National Hockey League|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=June 27, 2015|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075615/https://www.nhl.com/news/trades-completed-during-2015-nhl-draft-weekend/c-772519|url-status=live}} Subsequently, on July 1, Glen Sather resigned as the general manager, with Jeff Gorton taking his place to become the 11th general manager in team history.{{cite web|title=Jeff Gorton Named 11th General Manager in Franchise History|url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/jeff-gorton-named-11th-general-manager-in-franchise-history/c-881423|website=National Hockey League|access-date=July 3, 2017|date=July 1, 2015|archive-date=August 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804173259/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/jeff-gorton-named-11th-general-manager-in-franchise-history/c-881423|url-status=live}} On July 2, Martin St. Louis announced his retirement.{{cite news|last1=Whyno|first1=Stephen|title=Martin St. Louis retires from NHL|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/martin-st-louis-retires-from-nhl-1.3135901|website=CBC Sports|agency=The Canadian Press|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=July 2, 2015|archive-date=April 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425101732/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/martin-st-louis-retires-from-nhl-1.3135901|url-status=live}} The team then re-signed Jesper Fast, J. T. Miller, and Derek Stepan.{{cite web|last1=Leonard|first1=Pat|title=With Derek Stepan awaiting new deal, Rangers re-sign Jesper Fast, J.T. Miller|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/stepan-awaiting-new-deal-rangers-re-sign-fast-miller-article-1.2293525|website=Daily News|location=New York|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=July 16, 2015|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211081332/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/stepan-awaiting-new-deal-rangers-re-sign-fast-miller-article-1.2293525|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Leonard|first1=Pat|title=Derek Stepan re-signs with Rangers on $39 million deal|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/derek-stepan-re-signs-rangers-39-million-deal-article-1.2305283|website=Daily News|location=New York|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=July 16, 2015|archive-date=March 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329024233/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/derek-stepan-re-signs-rangers-39-million-deal-article-1.2305283|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Gretz|first1=Adam|title=Rangers sign Derek Stepan to 6-year, $39 million contract|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/rangers-sign-derek-stepan-to-6-year-39-million-contract/|work=CBSSports.com|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=July 27, 2015|archive-date=October 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022075648/http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/rangers-sign-derek-stepan-to-6-year-39-million-contract/|url-status=live}}

The Rangers started the 2015–16 season with a 14–2–2 record after 18 games, including a nine-game winning streak. However, the team lost their momentum and floundered, posting a 4–7–2 record in December for only ten points. After the holiday break, the team gradually improved their play, going on a 10–3–1 run without any back-to-back losses in February. The Rangers finished the season with 101 points for back-to-back 100+ point seasons. Despite high hopes, the Rangers were eliminated in the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs by a Penguins team that would go on to win the Stanley Cup. That summer, the Rangers extended Antti Raanta's contract,{{cite web|title=Rangers Agree to Terms With Antti Raanta|url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-antti-raanta/c-881095|website=National Hockey League|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=May 2, 2016|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075619/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-antti-raanta/c-881095|url-status=live}} signed Pavel Buchnevich to an entry-level contract,{{cite web|title=Rangers Agree to Terms With Forward Pavel Buchnevich|url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-forward-pavel-buchnevich/c-882664|website=National Hockey League|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=May 13, 2016}} and re-signed J. T. Miller, Chris Kreider, and Kevin Hayes.

On July 18, 2016, the Rangers traded Derick Brassard and a 2018 seventh-round draft pick in exchange for Mika Zibanejad and a 2018 second-round draft pick.{{cite web|title=Rangers Acquire Forward Mika Zibanejad|url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-acquire-forward-mika-zibanejad/c-889693|website=National Hockey League|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=July 18, 2016|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075248/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-acquire-forward-mika-zibanejad/c-889693|url-status=live}} The team also signed Michael Grabner to a two-year deal{{cite web|last1=Leonard|first1=Pat|title=Rangers hit the discount rack and sign free agents Michael Grabner and Nathan Gerbe|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/rangers-hit-discount-rack-sign-michael-grabner-nathan-gerbe-article-1.2696268|website=Daily News|location=New York|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=July 1, 2016|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211081255/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/rangers-hit-discount-rack-sign-michael-grabner-nathan-gerbe-article-1.2696268|url-status=live}} and the much-anticipated college sensation Jimmy Vesey to a two-year entry-level contract.{{cite news|last1=Kreda|first1=Allan|title=Rangers Sign Jimmy Vesey, Coveted by Much of the N.H.L.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/20/sports/hockey/ny-rangers-sign-jimmy-vesey.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=August 19, 2016|archive-date=August 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824004100/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/20/sports/hockey/ny-rangers-sign-jimmy-vesey.html|url-status=live}} The Rangers finished 2016–17 in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division with 102 points. In the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, they won their series with the Montreal Canadiens in six games. In the second game of their second-round series with the Ottawa Senators, the Rangers held a two-goal lead on three different occasions, but lost in double overtime, putting themselves in a 2–0 series deficit. The team responded with consecutive 4–1 home wins in games 3 and 4 to tie the series, but lost the next two games and were eliminated.

On June 14, 2017, the Rangers announced a buyout of Dan Girardi's contract.{{cite news|last1=Kreda|first1=Allan|title=Rangers Are Buying Out Dan Girardi's Contract|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/sports/hockey/rangers-dan-girardi.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=May 10, 2018|date=June 14, 2017|archive-date=February 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225035413/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/sports/hockey/rangers-dan-girardi.html|url-status=live}} Just over a week later, the Rangers traded Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for a first-round draft pick (seventh overall) and former first-round pick Tony DeAngelo.{{cite news|last1=Kreda|first1=Allan|title=Rangers Trade Derek Stepan to Coyotes Ahead of N.H.L. Draft|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/23/sports/hockey/rangers-trade-derek-stepan-to-coyotes-ahead-of-nhl-draft.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=May 10, 2018|date=June 23, 2017}} Rangers' management also signed top free agent defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk to a four-year deal.{{cite web|title=Rangers sign top free agent Kevin Shattenkirk|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/19783806/new-york-rangers-sign-defenseman-kevin-shattenkirk|publisher=ESPN|access-date=May 10, 2018|date=July 1, 2017|archive-date=September 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926102734/http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/19783806/new-york-rangers-sign-defenseman-kevin-shattenkirk|url-status=live}} However, injuries sidelined Shattenkirk, Kreider, and Zibanejad, and the Rangers struggled to compete. By February 8, 2018, the team had a 25–24–5 record, leading the front office to issue a letter to fans announcing the Rangers would be committing to a rebuild and may "lose some familiar faces" in the process. Rick Nash was traded the day before the 2018 NHL trade deadline to the Bruins for a 2018 first-round pick, a 2019 seventh-round pick, Matt Beleskey, Ryan Spooner and Ryan Lindgren. The following day, the Rangers traded captain Ryan McDonagh and J. T. Miller to the Tampa Bay Lightning for picks and prospects. With the team missing the playoffs for the first time since 2010, finishing under .500 for the first time since 2004, and placing last in the Metropolitan Division, head coach Vigneault was fired at the conclusion of the season.{{cite news|last1=Bailey|first1=Jason M.|title=Rangers Fire Alain Vigneault After Rare Playoff-Less Season|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/08/sports/hockey/alain-vigneault-fired-rangers.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 9, 2018|date=April 8, 2018|archive-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408075739/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/08/sports/hockey/alain-vigneault-fired-rangers.html|url-status=live}}

On May 23, David Quinn was hired as the team's new head coach.{{cite web|title=Rangers hire Boston University's David Quinn as coach|url=https://apnews.com/143251cc7cb642abbb59a777287a5e92/Rangers-hire-Boston-University%27s-David-Quinn-as-coach|website=AP News|access-date=May 23, 2018|date=May 23, 2018|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819040826/https://apnews.com/143251cc7cb642abbb59a777287a5e92/Rangers-hire-Boston-University%27s-David-Quinn-as-coach|url-status=live}} During the off-season, Hayes, Vesey, Brady Skjei and Spooner all filed for salary arbitration and all were re-signed.{{cite web |title=Rangers Agree to Terms With Brady Skjei |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-brady-skjei/c-299613196 |website=NHL.com |access-date=November 9, 2018 |date=July 28, 2018 |archive-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730170617/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-brady-skjei/c-299613196 |url-status=live}} Gorton and his team remained committed to a rebuild in the 2018–19 season, and with their playoff chances slim, the Rangers once again traded away veteran players at the deadline, including Kevin Hayes and fan-favorite Mats Zuccarello, who was sent to the Dallas Stars in exchange for two draft picks.{{cite web |title=Rangers Acquire 2019 Conditional 2nd Rd & 2020 Conditional 3rd Rd Picks |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-acquire-2019-conditional-2nd-rd--2020-conditional-3rd-rd-picks/c-305148148 |website=NHL.com |access-date=June 28, 2019 |date=February 23, 2019}}{{cite web |title=Rangers Acquire 2019 1st Rd Pick, Brendan Lemieux & 2022 Conditional Pick |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-acquire-2019-1st-rd-pick-brendan-lemieux--2022-conditional-pick/c-305196900 |website=NHL.com |access-date=June 28, 2019 |date=February 25, 2019 |archive-date=November 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128182128/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-acquire-2019-1st-rd-pick-brendan-lemieux--2022-conditional-pick/c-305196900 |url-status=live}}

The Rangers received the second overall pick in the 2019 NHL entry draft,{{cite web |title=2019 NHL Draft Lottery results |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2019-nhl-draft-lottery-results/c-306626236 |website=NHL.com |access-date=June 28, 2019 |date=April 9, 2019 |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621221636/https://www.nhl.com/news/2019-nhl-draft-lottery-results/c-306626236 |url-status=live}} and subsequently used it to select forward Kaapo Kakko. On May 17, 2019, former Ranger goaltender and broadcaster John Davidson resigned from his position as president of the Columbus Blue Jackets and returned to New York to become the organization's new president.{{cite web |title=John Davidson Named Rangers President |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/john-davidson-named-rangers-president/c-307447556 |website=NHL.com |access-date=October 3, 2020 |date=May 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108004741/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/john-davidson-named-rangers-president/c-307447556 |url-status=live}} Davidson and Gorton addressed the team's defensive woes by acquiring top prospect Adam Fox from Carolina for a pair of picks,{{cite web |title=Rangers Acquire Defenseman Adam Fox |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-acquire-defenseman-adam-fox/c-307122854 |website=NHL.com |access-date=June 28, 2019 |date=April 30, 2019 |archive-date=April 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430234157/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-acquire-defenseman-adam-fox/c-307122854 |url-status=live}} as well as veteran defenseman Jacob Trouba.{{cite web |title=Rangers Acquire Jacob Trouba |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-acquire-jacob-trouba/c-307887700 |website=NHL.com |access-date=June 28, 2019 |date=June 17, 2019}} The team also signed free agent Artemi Panarin to a seven-year deal on July 1.{{cite web |title=New York Rangers Sign Artemi Panarin to Seven-Year Deal Worth $81.5 Million |url=https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/2019/7/1/20677371/new-york-rangers-to-sign-artemi-panarin-to-seven-year-deal-worth-81-5-million |website=blueshirtbanter.com |access-date=July 1, 2019 |date=July 1, 2019 |archive-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701205037/https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/2019/7/1/20677371/new-york-rangers-to-sign-artemi-panarin-to-seven-year-deal-worth-81-5-million |url-status=live}} To help with salary cap restrictions, the Rangers then traded Jimmy Vesey and bought out the last two years of Shattenkirk's contract.{{cite web |last1=Battaglino |first1=Mike |title=Shattenkirk has contract bought out by Rangers |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/kevin-shattenkirk-contract-bought-out-by-new-york/c-308414136 |website=NHL.com |access-date=January 9, 2020 |date=August 1, 2019}}

File:ArtemiPanarin.jpg signed with the Rangers in July 2019]]

The 2019–20 season was a step forward for the rebuilding Rangers; Panarin lived up expectations and earned a Hart Trophy nomination,{{Cite web | url=https://drive4five.blog/2020/07/21/hart-trophy-leon-draisaitl-nathan-mackinnon-artemi-panarin-aidan-resnick-kush-malhotra/ | title=Hart Trophy Finalists Revealed: Who Will and Should Win? | date=July 21, 2020 | access-date=August 11, 2020 | archive-date=August 11, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811070540/https://drive4five.blog/2020/07/21/hart-trophy-leon-draisaitl-nathan-mackinnon-artemi-panarin-aidan-resnick-kush-malhotra/ | url-status=live}} rookie goaltender Igor Shesterkin proved to be a worthy successor to aging superstar Henrik Lundqvist, Chris Kreider signed a seven-year contract extension,{{cite web |title=Rangers re-sign Chris Kreider to seven-year contract |url=https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2020/02/24/new-york-rangers-chris-kreider-contract-extension/ |website=NBC Sports |access-date=October 3, 2020 |date=February 24, 2020 |archive-date=October 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020230612/https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2020/02/24/new-york-rangers-chris-kreider-contract-extension/ |url-status=live}} and Mika Zibanejad emerged as an elite forward, recording a 5-goal-game against Washington on March 5 and ending up with 41 goals in 57 games played. By early March 2020, the Rangers were within striking distance of the second wild-card position when the coronavirus pandemic halted the regular season. In May 2020, the league announced a 24-team playoff tournament to complete the season, where the Rangers were seeded 11th and faced the Carolina Hurricanes; the Hurricanes swept the Rangers. After being eliminated from the playoffs the Rangers were entered into the second phase of the NHL draft lottery where the team won the lottery and were awarded the first pick in the 2020 NHL entry draft, which Gorton used to select Alexis Lafreniere.{{cite web |last1=Kaplan |first1=Emily |title=New York Rangers win NHL draft lottery, right to pick Alexis Lafreniere |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/29635413/new-york-rangers-win-nhl-draft-lottery-right-pick-alexis-lafreniere |website=ESPN.com |access-date=May 3, 2024 |date=August 10, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624035248/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/29635413/new-york-rangers-win-nhl-draft-lottery-right-pick-alexis-lafreniere |url-status=live}} Later in the off-season, the team traded veteran defenseman Marc Staal to the Red Wings.

In September 2020, the Rangers bought out the final year of Henrik Lundqvist's contract, ending his tenure in New York after 15 years.{{cite web |title=Rangers Buy Out Contract of Henrik Lundqvist |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-buy-out-contract-of-henrik-lundqvist/c-319243646 |website=NHL.com |access-date=January 29, 2022 |date=September 30, 2020 |archive-date=January 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129071835/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-buy-out-contract-of-henrik-lundqvist/c-319243646 |url-status=live}}

On January 31, 2021, defenseman Tony DeAngelo was placed on waivers, following reports that he had an altercation with teammate Alexandar Georgiev following an overtime loss.{{cite tweet |user=NYRangers |number=1355933135477891080 |date=January 31, 2021 |title=Not on ice today: DeAngelo (waivers), Johnson (day-to-day, lower body), Blackwell (7–10 days, upper body) and Georgiev (maintenance).}}{{cite web |last1=Kaplan |first1=Emily |title=New York Rangers' Tony DeAngelo unclaimed on waivers, less than 4 months after contract extension |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/30812295/new-york-rangers-place-tony-deangelo-waivers-less-4-months-contract-extension |website=ESPN |access-date=January 31, 2021 |date=January 31, 2021 |archive-date=January 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131200337/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/30812295/new-york-rangers-place-tony-deangelo-waivers-less-4-months-contract-extension |url-status=live}} According to The Athletic, his continued "maturity" issues, combined with a marked decline in his play, led the Rangers to put him on the market; there were no takers.{{cite web |last1=Carpiniello |first1=Rick |title=Rangers place Tony DeAngelo on waivers following postgame altercation |url=https://theathletic.com/2357152/2021/01/31/tony-deangelo-waivers-new-york-rangers/ |website=The Athletic |access-date=January 31, 2021 |date=January 31, 2021 |archive-date=June 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610011712/https://theathletic.com/2357152/2021/01/31/tony-deangelo-waivers-new-york-rangers/ |url-status=live}}

In a game against the Washington Capitals on May 3, 2021, Capitals forward Tom Wilson cross-checked Pavel Buchnevich in the head and slammed Artemi Panarin into the ice, ending his season. Wilson, a repeat offender, was fined the league maximum of $5,000 for the incident.{{cite web |last1=Bengel |first1=Chris |title=Capitals' Tom Wilson fined for punching Rangers' Pavel Buchnevich, not disciplined for Artemi Panarin slam |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/capitals-tom-wilson-fined-for-punching-rangers-pavel-buchnevich-not-disciplined-for-artemi-panarin-slam/ |website=CBSSports.com |access-date=May 3, 2024 |date=May 4, 2021 |archive-date=May 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503150351/https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/capitals-tom-wilson-fined-for-punching-rangers-pavel-buchnevich-not-disciplined-for-artemi-panarin-slam/ |url-status=live}} The Rangers organization released a statement expressing disappointment in this decision, calling head of player safety George Parros "unfit to continue in his current role". The NHL subsequently fined the Rangers $250,000 for their comments.{{cite web |last1=Whyno |first1=Stephen |title=NHL fines Rangers $250K for criticizing player safety call |url=https://apnews.com/article/washington-capitals-new-york-rangers-hockey-nhl-business-c045c2f7c3bbec7a792d7cd79cde2021 |website=AP News |access-date=May 3, 2024 |date=May 6, 2021 |archive-date=May 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503150351/https://apnews.com/article/washington-capitals-new-york-rangers-hockey-nhl-business-c045c2f7c3bbec7a792d7cd79cde2021 |url-status=live}} Two days later, Rangers owner James Dolan fired president John Davidson and general manager Jeff Gorton.{{cite web |last1=LeBrun |first1=Pierre |title=LeBrun: Behind the scenes of the shocking Rangers shakeup and how it came to this |url=https://theathletic.com/2571419/2021/05/06/lebrun-behind-the-scenes-of-the-shocking-rangers-shakeup-and-how-it-came-to-this/ |website=The Athletic |access-date=May 12, 2021 |date=May 12, 2021}} Despite the timing, Dolan stated the firings were not related to the Wilson incident and statement, citing "culture" issues within the organization. Chris Drury was then announced as the Rangers' new president and general manager.{{cite web |last1=Kaplan |first1=Emily |title=New York Rangers promote Chris Drury to president and GM after firing John Davidson, Jeff Gorton |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31394724/new-york-rangers-fire-gm-jeff-gorton-president-john-davidson-source-says |website=ESPN.com |access-date=May 3, 2024 |date=May 5, 2021 |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717072016/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31394724/new-york-rangers-fire-gm-jeff-gorton-president-john-davidson-source-says |url-status=live}} On May 12, Drury fired head coach David Quinn,{{cite web |title=Rangers Announce Changes to Coaching Staff |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-announce-changes-to-coaching-staff/c-324617982 |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 12, 2021 |date=May 12, 2021 |archive-date=May 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512155927/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-announce-changes-to-coaching-staff/c-324617982 |url-status=live}} and replaced him with Gerard Gallant.{{cite web |title=Gerard Gallant Named Rangers Head Coach |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/gerard-gallant-named-rangers-head-coach/c-325359146 |website=NHL.com |access-date=June 17, 2021 |date=June 16, 2021 |archive-date=June 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616212118/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/gerard-gallant-named-rangers-head-coach/c-325359146 |url-status=live}} Despite a tumultuous season, a major bright spot was the play of Adam Fox; he led NHL defensemen with 42 assists, finished second in points with 47, and won the James Norris Memorial Trophy.{{cite web |last1=Leahy |first1=Sean |title=Rangers' Adam Fox wins 2020-21 Norris Trophy |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/news/rangers-adam-fox-wins-2020-21-norris-trophy |website=NBC Sports |access-date=May 3, 2024 |date=June 29, 2021 |archive-date=May 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503150351/https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/news/rangers-adam-fox-wins-2020-21-norris-trophy |url-status=live}}

In the 2021–22 season, the Rangers finished the regular season with a record of 52–24–6, making the playoffs for the first time since 2020.{{cite web |title=Rangers clinch Stanley Cup Playoff berth, defeat Senators |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/ottawa-senators-new-york-rangers-game-recap/c-332796920 |website=NHL.com |access-date=April 26, 2023 |date=April 9, 2022 |archive-date=April 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427001716/https://www.nhl.com/news/ottawa-senators-new-york-rangers-game-recap/c-332796920 |url-status=live}} For the third time in franchise history, the Rangers overcame a 3–1 series deficit, this time against the Pittsburgh Penguins in a first round matchup that concluded with a game-winning overtime goal from Artemi Panarin. After defeating the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games,{{cite web |last1=Beard |first1=Aaron |title=Rangers defeat Hurricanes in Game 7, advance to face Lightning in Eastern Conference final |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/new-york-rangers-carolina-hurricanes-game-7-nhl-playoff-recap-1.6471708 |website=CBC.ca |access-date=May 31, 2022 |date=May 30, 2022 |archive-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531041700/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/new-york-rangers-carolina-hurricanes-game-7-nhl-playoff-recap-1.6471708 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=#NHLStats: Live Updates – 05/30/2022 |url=https://media.nhl.com/public/live-updates?date=2022-05-30 |website=media.nhl.com |access-date=May 31, 2022 |date=May 30, 2022 |archive-date=May 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530143607/https://media.nhl.com/public/live-updates?date=2022-05-30 |url-status=live}} they faced the back-to-back defending champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and lost the series in six games despite a 2–0 series lead.{{cite web |last1=Rosen |first1=Dan |title=Rangers run out of gas, comebacks in Game 6 of East Final |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/rangers-out-of-gas-in-game-6-of-east-final/c-334579348 |website=NHL.com |access-date=June 12, 2022 |date=June 12, 2022}} Igor Shesterkin was named the Vezina Trophy winner following the season.

By the end of the following season, the Rangers had acquired Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola from the St. Louis Blues{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/vladimir-tarasenko-traded-to-new-york-rangers-by-st-louis-blues/c-340859794 |title=Tarasenko traded to Rangers by Blues |website=nhl.com |date=February 9, 2023 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209195931/https://www.nhl.com/news/vladimir-tarasenko-traded-to-new-york-rangers-by-st-louis-blues/c-340859794 |url-status=live}} and Patrick Kane from the Blackhawks.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/patrick-kane-traded-to-new-york-rangers-from-chicago-blackhawks/c-341625462 |title=Kane goes to Rangers in 3-team trade with Blackhawks, Coyotes |website=nhl.com |date=February 28, 2023 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |archive-date=May 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521040323/https://www.nhl.com/news/patrick-kane-traded-to-new-york-rangers-from-chicago-blackhawks/c-341625462 |url-status=live}} The team made the playoffs, finishing third in their division,{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/devils-to-play-rangers-in-1st-round-of-playoffs/c-343504654 |title=Devils to play Rangers in 1st round of Stanley Cup Playoffs |website=nhl.com |date=April 13, 2023 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |archive-date=April 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421190610/https://www.nhl.com/news/devils-to-play-rangers-in-1st-round-of-playoffs/c-343504654 |url-status=live}} but lost to their river rivals, the New Jersey Devils in seven games. As a result, Gallant was fired as head coach and replaced with Peter Laviolette following the season.{{cite web |title=Peter Laviolette Named Rangers Head Coach |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/peter-laviolette-named-rangers-head-coach/c-344849972 |website=NHL.com |access-date=June 15, 2023 |date=June 13, 2023 |archive-date=June 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613183641/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/peter-laviolette-named-rangers-head-coach/c-344849972 |url-status=live}}

In the 2023–24 season, the Rangers clinched their fourth Presidents' Trophy. During the 2024 playoffs, they swept the Washington Capitals in the first round and defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round, but lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers in the conference finals. Despite this run, the following season was disastrous,{{cite web |last1=Alfano |first1=Jon |title=Rangers Need Big Changes After Disastrous Season |url=https://www.si.com/onsi/breakaway/news-feed-page/new-york-rangers-big-changes-disastrous-season |website=Sports Illustrated |access-date=April 21, 2025 |date=April 15, 2025}} as the Rangers became the fourth team in NHL history to miss the playoffs after winning the Presidents' Trophy the prior season.{{cite web |last1=Rosen |first1=Dan |title=Rangers miss playoffs season after winning Presidents' Trophy |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/why-new-york-rangers-are-eliminated-from-2024-2025-postseason-race |website=NHL.com |access-date=April 21, 2025 |date=April 13, 2025}} Veteran players, such as Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad, received significant criticism throughout the season,{{cite web |last1=Herman |first1=Adam |title=Rangers' Core Is Rotting Away and Trading Veterans Might Be the Only Solution |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10141831-rangers-core-is-rotting-away-and-trading-veterans-might-be-the-only-solution |website=bleacherreport.com |access-date=April 21, 2025 |date=November 26, 2024}} while captain Jacob Trouba, Kaapo Kakko, and Filip Chytil were traded away, and Laviolette was fired at the end of the season.{{cite web |last1=Baugh |first1=Peter |title=Rangers fire coach Peter Laviolette a year after winning Presidents' Trophy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6289026/2025/04/19/rangers-fire-coach-peter-laviolette/ |website=The Athletic |access-date=April 21, 2025 |date=April 19, 2025}}

The classic Rangers sweater has been in use since the franchise's foundation, with several alterations along the way. The current blue uniform has the serifed word "RANGERS" in red and white drop shadow arranged diagonally, with red and white stripes on the sleeves and tail. Originally, the uniform was light blue, before it switched to a darker classic Rangers "Broadway Blue" in 1929. In addition, the original versions neither had a drop shadow nor were serifed. During the 1946–47 season, the word "RANGERS" was arranged in an arch form above the sweater number. It adopted its current form the next season, along with dropshadowed numbers, except for a brief period where the city name was used, a tie-down collar was not used and the tail and sleeve stripes were separated by thin blue stripes. Red pants have been used with the uniform since the 1929–30 season.{{cite web | url=http://nhluniforms.com/Rangers/Rangers.html | title=New York Rangers uniform history | publisher=The (unofficial) NHL Uniform Database | access-date=May 10, 2014 | archive-date=June 25, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625095323/http://nhluniforms.com/Rangers/Rangers.html | url-status=live}}

The white jerseys were first unveiled in the 1951–52 season, as part of a mandate that regulated NHL teams to have a dark home jersey and a light away jersey. The serifed word "RANGERS" is also arranged diagonally, but in blue with red drop shadow. A quinticolor of blue, white and red stripes accentuate the tail and sleeves, while a blue shoulder yoke with white and red stripes completes the look. The white sweaters, with minor changes such as a tie-down collar and arched player names, have remained virtually unchanged since.

During the tenure of general manager John Ferguson Sr., he sought to modernize the Rangers sweater by featuring rounded numbers, a darker shade of blue and the shield logo, which was unveiled in the 1976–77 season. A blue and red stripe (white and red stripe in the blue sweaters) extend from the yoke to the sleeves, while blue pants were used. However, it proved unpopular with the fans, and following the 1977–78 season it was replaced by an updated version of their classic uniforms. Ferguson used this similar design when he became general manager of the original Winnipeg Jets.{{cite web|url=http://nhluniforms.com/Rangers/Rangers18.html | title=1976–77 New York Rangers uniforms | publisher=The (unofficial) NHL Uniform Database | access-date=May 10, 2014}}

File:NY Rangers Salute.jpg

The modernized classic uniforms introduced in 1978 featured some subtle changes. Both jerseys featured a V-neck collar in a red-white-red pattern, and bolder stripes on the sleeves and waistline. On the blue jersey, the red and white stripes were separated by thin blue stripes, along with the waistline stripes being raised above the hemline so that the patterns on both jerseys matched. From 1978 to 1987, the blue jersey (then the road jersey) featured "NEW YORK" diagonally across the front instead of the traditional "RANGERS" wordmark, similar to their 2010s heritage alternate jerseys.{{cite web | url=http://nhluniforms.com/Rangers/Rangers20.html | title=1978–87 New York Rangers uniforms | publisher=The (unofficial) NHL Uniform Database | access-date=June 9, 2014 | archive-date=July 2, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702103138/http://nhluniforms.com/Rangers/Rangers20.html | url-status=live}} In 1997, the Rangers reverted the blue jersey's design, restoring the old striping pattern, and becoming the first team to re-introduce lace-up collars.{{cite web|url=http://nhluniforms.com/Rangers/Rangers24.html | title=1997–98 New York Rangers uniforms | publisher=The (unofficial) NHL Uniform Database | access-date=June 9, 2014}} The white jerseys followed suit in 1999,{{cite web | url=http://nhluniforms.com/Rangers/Rangers26.html | title=1999–2007 New York Rangers uniforms | publisher=The (unofficial) NHL Uniform Database | access-date=June 9, 2014 | archive-date=July 2, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702104744/http://nhluniforms.com/Rangers/Rangers26.html | url-status=live}} and the design was carried over to the Reebok Edge template in 2007.{{cite web | url=http://nhluniforms.com/Rangers/Rangers27.html | title=1999–2007 New York Rangers uniforms | publisher=The (unofficial) NHL Uniform Database | access-date=June 9, 2014 | archive-date=July 2, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702091534/http://nhluniforms.com/Rangers/Rangers27.html | url-status=live}}

On October 7, 2001, the Rangers wore a modified version of their blue jerseys in a home game against the Buffalo Sabres. This design combined the current/traditional striping with the "NEW YORK" wordmark of the 1978–1987 uniforms. The uniforms were worn in the wake of the September 11 attacks.{{cite web | url=http://nhluniforms.com/Rangers/RangersSpecial01a.html | title=New York Rangers 2001 9/11 Tribute uniforms | publisher=The (unofficial) NHL Uniform Database | access-date=January 3, 2022 | archive-date=January 3, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103140151/http://nhluniforms.com/Rangers/RangersSpecial01a.html | url-status=live}}

The Rangers previously had a navy alternate jersey featuring the head of the Statue of Liberty with the team abbreviation (NYR) below in a futuristic script. Silver was used as an accent color, but the player names and numbers retain the same color schemes as the regular jerseys, except for a darker shade of blue. Other than a white version used in the 1998–99 season, this jersey was used from 1996 to 2007, and proved to be highly popular with fans.{{cite web | url=http://nhluniforms.com/Rangers/Rangers23.html | title=1996–97 New York Rangers uniforms | publisher=The (unofficial) NHL Uniform Database | access-date=May 10, 2014 | archive-date=July 2, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702103916/http://nhluniforms.com/Rangers/Rangers23.html | url-status=live}}

During the 2010–11 season, the Rangers debuted a heritage blue jersey as their new alternate uniform. The jersey featured a darker shade of blue, as well as a cream trim. Unlike the regular jerseys, the font of the alternate was sans-serif and did not feature a dropshadow, much like the original Rangers jersey. The Rangers wore the jerseys at home on Saturdays and when they played against Original Six teams. For the 2017–18 season, the heritage jersey was retired because of the league-wide switch to the Adidas uniform format.

In the 2012 Winter Classic, the Rangers wore a cream jersey combining classic and current styles. A different version of the shield logo was used, while the player names were arranged in a straight line. The stripes were also lessened, giving it a minimalist, vintage look, as most Winter Classic jerseys are.{{cite web | url=http://nhluniforms.com/2011-12/Rangers.html | title=2011–12 New York Rangers uniforms | publisher=The (unofficial) NHL Uniform Database | access-date=May 10, 2014 | archive-date=January 3, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103041826/http://www.nhluniforms.com/2011-12/Rangers.html | url-status=live}}

For the 2014 Stadium Series, the Rangers used white jerseys with the city name in navy, silver and red. In addition, they feature diagonal stripes and sleeve numbers, and enlarged numbers on the back to make them more readable to spectators. The chrome version of the shield logo is placed in the left shoulder. Like the Winter Classic sweaters, player names are in a straight position.{{cite web | url=http://nhluniforms.com/2013-14/Rangers.html | title=2013–14 New York Rangers uniforms | publisher=The (unofficial) NHL Uniform Database | access-date=May 10, 2014 | archive-date=May 12, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512220139/http://nhluniforms.com/2013-14/Rangers.html | url-status=live}}

The 2018 Winter Classic saw the Rangers wear a navy jersey with a combination of elements from prior uniform designs. The striping design was inspired from their current uniforms, while the white "RANGERS" wordmark was a nod from the team's late 1920s jerseys. A white silhouette of the Rangers' shield logo contained either the abbreviation "N.Y." or the alternate captain "A" and captain "C" designations. Player names are arranged in a straight position.{{cite press release|title=Rangers unveil 2018 Winter Classic uniform|url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-unveil-2018-winter-classic-uniform-293310300|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L.P.|website=NewYorkRangers.com|date=November 24, 2017|access-date=May 6, 2024|quote=The jersey features the Rangers' color scheme of red, white and blue, though navy blue replaces their traditional royal blue as a nod to the roots of the game outdoors.|archive-date=May 6, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506040534/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-unveil-2018-winter-classic-uniform-293310300|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://nhluniforms.com/2017-18/Rangers.html | title=2017–18 New York Rangers uniforms | publisher=The (unofficial) NHL Uniform Database | access-date=November 4, 2018}}

During the 2020–21 season, the Rangers released a "Reverse Retro" alternate uniform in collaboration with Adidas. The uniform featured the "Lady Liberty" design worn from 1996 to 2007, but with a few changes in the striping.{{cite news|title=Reverse Retro alternate jerseys for all 31 teams unveiled by NHL, adidas|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-reveals-adidas-reverse-retro-jerseys/c-319633384|publisher=National Hockey League|date=December 1, 2020|access-date=December 5, 2020|archive-date=December 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211011731/https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-reveals-adidas-reverse-retro-jerseys/c-319633384|url-status=live}} This same design was again used for their 2022–23 "Reverse Retro" uniform, but the lighter Broadway Blue served as the base color while the lower sleeves were recolored red with white and navy stripes.{{Cite news |last=Merola |first=Lauren |date=October 20, 2022 |title=NHL Reverse Retro jerseys for all 32 teams unveiled by adidas |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2022-adidas-nhl-reverse-retro-jerseys-reveal/c-336511528 |access-date=October 20, 2022 |work=NHL.com |archive-date=January 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124175741/https://www.nhl.com/news/2022-adidas-nhl-reverse-retro-jerseys-reveal/c-336511528 |url-status=live}}

Introduced in the 2023–24 season, the Rangers began wearing a new third jersey, bringing back the shield logo as the main crest for the first time since the 1976–1978 redesign. The navy blue-based jersey features thin white, red and Broadway blue stripes on the sleeves, waist and socks, along with white letters.{{cite news|title=New York Rangers Third Jersey (2024)|url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/fans/thirds-jersey|website=NHL.com|access-date=December 1, 2023|archive-date=December 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201235908/https://www.nhl.com/rangers/fans/thirds-jersey|url-status=live}}

For the 2024 Stadium Series, the Rangers wore white jerseys with an enlarged "NYR" diagonal lettering in red with blue drop shadows. Enlarged numbers also employ the same color scheme as the "NYR" wordmark, along with thick alternating blue and red sleeve stripes.{{cite news|title=2024 NHL Stadium Series jerseys revealed for outdoor games|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2024-nhl-stadium-series-jerseys-revealed-for-outdoor-games|website=NHL.com|access-date=January 26, 2024|archive-date=January 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126161917/https://www.nhl.com/news/2024-nhl-stadium-series-jerseys-revealed-for-outdoor-games|url-status=live}}

This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the Rangers. For the full season-by-season history, see List of New York Rangers seasons.

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime/shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

{{New York Rangers roster}}

File:Brian Leetch New York Rangers 1997 Vancouver.jpg was the 23rd captain in Rangers history, maintaining the position from 1997 to 2000.]]

{{div col}}

• Bill Cook, 1926–1937
• Art Coulter, 1937–1942
• Ott Heller, 1942–1945
• Neil Colville, 1945–1948
• Buddy O'Connor, 1949–1950
• Frank Eddolls, 1950–1951
• Allan Stanley, 1951–1953
• Don Raleigh, 1953–1955
• Harry Howell, 1955–1957
• George Sullivan, 1957–1961
• Andy Bathgate, 1961–1964
• Camille Henry, 1964–1965
• Bob Nevin, 1965–1971
• Vic Hadfield, 1971–1974
• Brad Park, 1974–1975
• Phil Esposito, 1975–1978
• Dave Maloney, 1978–1980
• Walt Tkaczuk, 1980–1981
• Barry Beck, 1981–1986
• Ron Greschner, 1986–1987
• Kelly Kisio, 1987–1991
• Mark Messier, 1991–1997
• Brian Leetch, 1997–2000
• Mark Messier, 2000–2004{{cite news |last1=Diamos |first1=Jason |title=HOCKEY; Messier Returns, as Captain and Lifeline |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/14/sports/hockey-messier-returns-as-captain-and-lifeline.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=July 4, 2021 |date=July 14, 2000 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709210602/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/14/sports/hockey-messier-returns-as-captain-and-lifeline.html |url-status=live}}
• Jaromir Jagr, 2006–2008
• Chris Drury, 2008–2011
• Ryan Callahan, 2011–2014
• Ryan McDonagh, 2014–2018
• Jacob Trouba, 2022–2024

{{div col end}}

{{further|List of New York Rangers general managers}}

The current general manager is Chris Drury who had been named on May 5, 2021.{{cite web|title=New York Rangers promote Chris Drury to president and GM after firing John Davidson, Jeff Gorton|first=Emily|last=Kaplan|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31394724/new-york-rangers-fire-gm-jeff-gorton-president-john-davidson-source-says|website=ESPN|date=May 5, 2021|access-date=August 24, 2021}}

{{further|List of New York Rangers head coaches}}

The current head coach is Mike Sullivan who was hired on May 2, 2025.{{cite web |title=Rangers hire Mike Sullivan to be next head coach |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/rangers-hire-mike-sullivan-to-be-next-head-coach/ |website=Sportsnet.ca |access-date=May 2, 2025 |date=May 2, 2025}}

{{main|List of New York Rangers award winners}}

The following lists the league awards which have been won by the Rangers team and its players and alumni:

{{columns-start|num=3}}

Stanley Cup{{cite web|url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinners.jsp?tro=STC|title=Stanley Cup winners|publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame|accessdate=June 22, 2015|archive-date=June 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626114828/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinners.jsp?tro=STC|url-status=live}}

• 1927–28, 1932–33, 1939–40, 1993–94

Victoria Cup

• 2008 Victoria Cup

Presidents' Trophy{{cite web |url=http://www.hhof.com/htmlSilverware/silver_splashpresidents.shtml |title=Presidents' Trophy |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |accessdate=June 22, 2015 |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626140420/http://www.hhof.com/htmlSilverware/silver_splashpresidents.shtml |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinners.jsp?tro=PRT|title=Presidents' Trophy winners|publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame|accessdate=June 22, 2015|archive-date=June 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626125508/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinners.jsp?tro=PRT|url-status=live}}

• 1991–92, 1993–94, 2014–15, 2023–24

Prince of Wales Trophy{{cite web|url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinners.jsp?tro=PWT|title=Prince of Wales Trophy winners|publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame|accessdate=June 22, 2015|archive-date=June 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610050606/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinners.jsp?tro=PWT|url-status=live}}

• 1931–32, 1941–42, 1993–94, 2013–14

O'Brien Cup{{cite web|url=http://www.hhof.com/htmlSilverware/silver_splashobrien.shtml|title=O'Brien Trophy|publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame|accessdate=June 22, 2015|archive-date=October 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027050206/http://www.hhof.com/htmlSilverware/silver_splashobrien.shtml|url-status=live}}

• 1949–50

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=24940|title=Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy|website=National Hockey League|accessdate=June 22, 2015|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326034906/http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=24940|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/masterton.html|title=Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy Winners|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=June 22, 2015|archive-date=June 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626135830/http://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/masterton.html|url-status=live}}

• Jean Ratelle: 1970–71
• Rod Gilbert: 1975–76
• Anders Hedberg: 1984–85
• Adam Graves: 2000–01
• Dominic Moore: 2013–14

Calder Memorial Trophy{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/calder.html|title=Calder Memorial Trophy Winners|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=June 22, 2015|archive-date=June 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626125850/http://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/calder.html|url-status=live}}

• Kilby MacDonald: 1939–40
• Grant Warwick: 1941–42
• Edgar Laprade: 1945–46
• Pentti Lund: 1948–49
• Gump Worsley: 1952–53
• Camille Henry: 1953–54
• Steve Vickers: 1972–73
• Brian Leetch: 1988–89

Conn Smythe Trophy{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/smythe.html|title=Conn Smythe Trophy Winners|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=June 22, 2015|archive-date=June 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626123644/http://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/smythe.html|url-status=live}}

• Brian Leetch: 1993–94

Hart Memorial Trophy{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/hart.html|title=Hart Memorial Trophy Winners|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=June 22, 2015|archive-date=February 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212143435/https://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/hart.html|url-status=live}}

• Buddy O'Connor: 1947–48
• Chuck Rayner: 1949–50
• Andy Bathgate: 1958–59
• Mark Messier: 1991–92

James Norris Memorial Trophy{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/norris.html|title=James Norris Memorial Trophy Winners|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=June 22, 2015|archive-date=June 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626132429/http://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/norris.html|url-status=live}}

• Doug Harvey: 1961–62
• Harry Howell: 1966–67
• Brian Leetch: 1991–92, 1996–97
• Adam Fox: 2020–21

{{column}}

King Clancy Memorial Trophy{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/clancy.html|title=King Clancy Memorial Trophy Winners|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=June 22, 2015|archive-date=June 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626115827/http://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/clancy.html|url-status=live}}

• Adam Graves: 1993–94

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy

• Frank Boucher: 1927–28, 1928–29, 1929–30, 1930–31, 1932–33, 1933–34, 1934–35
• Clint Smith: 1938–39
• Buddy O'Connor: 1947–48
• Edgar Laprade: 1949–50
• Andy Hebenton: 1956–57{{cite web |url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?encode=TRUE&pid=2220 |title=Andy Hebenton's profile at hockeydb.com |access-date=August 10, 2007 |archive-date=March 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312095419/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?encode=TRUE&pid=2220 |url-status=live}}
• Camille Henry: 1957–58
• Jean Ratelle: 1971–72, 1975–76
• Wayne Gretzky: 1998–99

Lester Patrick Trophy

• John Kilpatrick and Tommy Lockhart: 1967–68{{cite web|url=https://www.hhof.com/htmlSilverware/silver_splashlesterpatrick.shtml|title=Non-NHL Trophies – Lester Patrick Trophy|website=Legends of Hockey|access-date=April 17, 2018|archive-date=August 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822213946/https://www.hhof.com/htmlsilverware/silver_splashlesterpatrick.shtml|url-status=dead}}
• William M. Jennings and Terry Sawchuk: 1970–71{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p197103&type=Player&page=statsawards&list=#photo |title=Terry Sawchuk – Career Statistics |access-date=August 10, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929144127/http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p197103&type=Player&page=statsawards&list=#photo |archive-date=September 29, 2007}}
• Murray Murdoch: 1973–74
• Bill Chadwick: 1974–75
• Phil Esposito: 1977–78
• Fred Shero: 1979–80
• Emile Francis: 1981–82{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=B198201&type=Builder&page=bio&list=ByName#photo |title=Emile Francis – Biography |access-date=August 10, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929211822/http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=B198201&type=Builder&page=bio&list=ByName#photo |archive-date=September 29, 2007}}
• Lynn Patrick: 1988–89
• Rod Gilbert: 1990–91
• Frank Boucher: 1992–93{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=P195801&type=Player&page=bio&list=ByName |title=Frank Boucher – Biography |access-date=August 10, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929211107/http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=P195801&type=Player&page=bio&list=ByName |archive-date=September 29, 2007}}
• Wayne Gretzky: 1993–94
• Brian Mullen: 1994–95{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=11151 |title=Brian Patrick Mullen |access-date=August 10, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929212332/http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=11151 |archive-date=September 29, 2007}}
• Pat LaFontaine: 1996–97
• Craig Patrick: 1999–2000
• Herb Brooks and Larry Pleau: 2001–02{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=b200601&type=Builder&page=bio&list=ByName#photo |title=Herb Brooks – Biography |access-date=August 10, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929095416/http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=b200601&type=Builder&page=bio&list=ByName#photo |archive-date=September 29, 2007}}
• John Davidson: 2003–04
• Red Berenson and Marcel Dionne: 2005–06
• Brian Leetch and John Halligan: 2006–07{{cite news | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ap-lesterpatrickaward&prov=ap&type=lgns | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027110528/http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ap-lesterpatrickaward&prov=ap&type=lgns | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 27, 2009 | title=Leetch, Cammi Granato among 4 winners of Lester Patrick Award | last=Podell | first=Ira | agency=Associated Press | date=November 7, 2007 | access-date=November 19, 2007}}
• Mark Messier and Mike Richter: 2008–09
• Bob Crocker: 2014–15
• Jack Blatherwick: 2018–19

Lester B. Pearson Award

• Jean Ratelle: 1971–72
• Mark Messier: 1991–92
• Jaromir Jagr: 2005–06

NHL Plus-Minus Award{{cite web | url=http://statshockey.homestead.com/plusminus.html | title=NHL Plus Minus Award Winners | access-date=November 19, 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070916180557/http://statshockey.homestead.com/plusminus.html | archive-date=September 16, 2007}}

• Michal Rozsival: 2005–06 (shared with Wade Redden of the Ottawa Senators)

{{column}}

Vezina Trophy

• Dave Kerr: 1939–40
• Eddie Giacomin and Gilles Villemure: 1970–71
• John Vanbiesbrouck: 1985–86
• Henrik Lundqvist: 2011–12
• Igor Shesterkin: 2021–22

{{columns-end}}

{{main|List of New York Rangers draft picks}}

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• 1963: Al Osborne (4th overall)
• 1964: Bob Graham (3rd overall)
• 1965: Andre Veilleux (1st overall)
• 1966: Brad Park (2nd overall)
• 1967: Bob Dickson (6th overall)
• 1969: Andre Dupont (8th overall) & Pierre Jarry (12th)
• 1970: Norm Gratton (11th overall)
• 1971: Steve Vickers (10th overall) & Steve Durbano (13th)
• 1972: Al Blanchard (10th overall) & Bob MacMillan (15th)
• 1973: Rick Middleton (14th overall)
• 1974: Dave Maloney (14th overall)
• 1975: Wayne Dillon (12th overall)
• 1976: Don Murdoch (6th overall)
• 1977: Lucien DeBlois (8th overall) & Ron Duguay (13th)
• 1979: Doug Sulliman (13th overall)
• 1980: Jim Malone (14th overall)
• 1981: James Patrick (9th overall)
• 1982: Chris Kontos (15th overall)
• 1983: Dave Gagner (12th overall)
• 1984: Terry Carkner (14th overall)
• 1985: Ulf Dahlen (7th overall)
• 1986: Brian Leetch (9th overall)
• 1987: Jayson More (10th overall)
• 1989: Steven Rice (20th overall)
• 1990: Michael Stewart (13th overall)
• 1991: Alexei Kovalev (15th overall)
• 1992: Peter Ferraro (24th overall)
• 1993: Niklas Sundstrom (8th overall)
• 1994: Dan Cloutier (26th overall)
• 1996: Jeff Brown (22nd overall)
• 1997: Stefan Cherneski (19th overall)
• 1998: Manny Malhotra (7th overall)
• 1999: Pavel Brendl (4th overall) & Jamie Lundmark (9th)
• 2001: Dan Blackburn (10th overall)
• 2003: Hugh Jessiman (12th overall)
• 2004: Al Montoya (6th overall) & Lauri Korpikoski (19th)
• 2005: Marc Staal (12th overall)
• 2006: Bob Sanguinetti (21st overall)
• 2007: Alexei Cherepanov (17th overall)
• 2008: Michael Del Zotto (20th overall)
• 2009: Chris Kreider (19th overall)
• 2010: Dylan McIlrath (10th overall)
• 2011: J. T. Miller (15th overall)
• 2012: Brady Skjei (28th overall)
• 2017: Lias Andersson (7th overall) & Filip Chytil (21st)
• 2018: Vitali Kravtsov (9th overall), K'Andre Miller (22nd) & Nils Lundkvist (28th)
• 2019: Kaapo Kakko (2nd overall)
• 2020: Alexis Lafreniere (1st overall) & Braden Schneider (19th)
• 2021: Brennan Othmann (16th overall)
• 2023: Gabe Perreault (23rd overall)
• 2024: E. J. Emery (30th overall)

{{div col end}}

The New York Rangers acknowledge an affiliation with a number of inductees to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Rangers inductees include 53 former players and ten builders of the sport.{{cite book|url=https://nhl.bamcontent.com/images/assets/binary/291105024/binary-file/file.pdf|chapter=Hall of Fame Selections|title=2017–18 New York Rangers Media Guide|publisher=New York Rangers|page=382|editor1=Rosasco, John|editor2=Rappaport, Michael|editor3=Hayes, Lindsay|editor4=Nissan, Ryan|access-date=May 8, 2018|year=2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209152004/https://nhl.bamcontent.com/images/assets/binary/291105024/binary-file/file.pdf|archive-date=December 9, 2017|url-status=live}} The nine individuals recognized as builders by the Hall of Fame includes former Rangers executives, general managers, head coaches, and owners. In addition to players and builders, several broadcasters were also awarded the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame. Sal Messina, a color commentator, was the first Rangers broadcaster to be awarded the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award. Other Rangers broadcasters awarded the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award include John Davidson (awarded in 2009), and Sam Rosen (awarded in 2016).{{cite web|url=https://www.hhof.com/html/leg_broadcasters.shtml|title=Foster Hewitt Memorial Award Winners|access-date=April 12, 2018|year=2018|publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142146/https://www.hhof.com/html/leg_broadcasters.shtml|url-status=dead}}

Players

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• Glenn Anderson
• Andy Bathgate
• Doug Bentley
• Max Bentley
• Frank Boucher
• Johnny Bower
• Pavel Bure
• Neil Colville
• Bill Cook
• Bun Cook
• Art Coulter
• Marcel Dionne
• Dick Duff
• Phil Esposito
• Bill Gadsby
• Mike Gartner
• Bernie Geoffrion
• Eddie Giacomin
• Rod Gilbert
• Wayne Gretzky
• Doug Harvey
• Bryan Hextall
• Tim Horton
• Harry Howell
• Ching Johnson
• Jari Kurri
• Guy Lafleur
• Pat LaFontaine
• Edgar Laprade
• Brian Leetch
• Eric Lindros
• Kevin Lowe
• Harry Lumley
• Henrik Lundqvist
• Mark Messier
• Howie Morenz
• Vaclav Nedomansky
• Buddy O'Connor
• Brad Park
• Lynn Patrick
• Jacques Plante
• Babe Pratt
• Jean Ratelle
• Chuck Rayner
• Luc Robitaille
• Earl Seibert
• Brendan Shanahan
• Allan Stanley
• Babe Siebert
• Clint Smith
• Terry Sawchuk
• Martin St. Louis
• Gump Worsley
• Sergei Zubov

{{div col end}}

Builders

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• Herb Brooks
• Colin Campbell
• Emile Francis
• William M. Jennings
• Roger Neilson
• Craig Patrick
• Lester Patrick
• Lynn Patrick
• Glen Sather
• Fred Shero

{{div col end}}

File:NY Rangers Banner 2 35.jpg.]]

The Rangers have retired nine numbers for eleven players in their history, and the NHL retired Wayne Gretzky's No. 99 for all its member teams at the 2000 NHL All-Star Game.{{cite web|title=Perfect setting: Gretzky's number retired before All-Star Game |publisher=CNN Sports Illustrated. Associated Press |date=February 6, 2000 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/2000/nhl_allstar/news/2000/02/06/gretsky_99/ |access-date=June 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112022319/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/2000/nhl_allstar/news/2000/02/06/gretsky_99/ |archive-date=November 12, 2013}}

Notes:

• ¹ The number was retired in honor of two different players.

These are the top-ten-point-scorers in franchise history. Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.{{cite web|title=Regular Season – All Skaters – Career for Franchise – Career Points – NHL.com – Stats|url=https://www.nhl.com/stats/skaters?reportType=allTime&seasonFrom=19171918&seasonTo=20242025&gameType=2&playerPlayedFor=franchise.10&sort=points,goals,assists&page=0&pageSize=50|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=April 20, 2025|archive-date=April 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420091717/https://www.nhl.com/stats/skaters?reportType=allTime&seasonFrom=19171918&seasonTo=20232024&gameType=2&playerPlayedFor=franchise.10&sort=points,goals,assists&page=0&pageSize=50|url-status=live}}

• {{Color box|#CCFFCC|*|border=darkgray}} – current Rangers player

File:Walt Tkaczuk 80-81.JPG scored the sixth most points in the franchise (678 points).]]

{{col-begin|width=auto}}

{{col-break}}

{{col-break|gap=1em}}

{{col-break|gap=1em}}

{{col-end}}

{{main|List of New York Rangers records}}

{{div col}}

• Points – Jaromir Jagr, 123 (2005–06){{cite web|title=Players – New York Rangers – All Skaters – Rookie + Veteran – All-Time – All Countries – Available Provinces/States – Shoots Left or Right – All Draft Years – All Draft Rounds – 1917–1918 To 2017–2018 – Regular Season – Skater Summary – National Hockey League.com – Stats|url=https://www.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&seasonFrom=19171918&seasonTo=20172018&gameType=2&playerPlayedFor=team.3&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=points,goals,assists|website=National Hockey League|access-date=November 25, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201034120/http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&seasonFrom=19171918&seasonTo=20172018&gameType=2&playerPlayedFor=team.3&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=points,goals,assists|url-status=live}}
• Goals – Jaromir Jagr, 54 (2005–06)
• Assists – Brian Leetch, 80 (1991–92)
• Power play goals – Chris Kreider, 26 (2021–22)
• Power play points – Brian Leetch, 53 (1993–94)
• Power play assists – Brian Leetch, 45 (1990–91){{cite web|title=Players – New York Rangers – All Skaters – Rookie + Veteran – All-Time – All Countries – Available Provinces/States – Shoots Left or Right – All Draft Years – All Draft Rounds – 1917–1918 To 2017–2018 – Regular Season – Points by Type (since 1933–34) – National Hockey League.com – Stats|url=https://www.nhl.com/stats/player?report=skaterpoints&reportType=season&seasonFrom=19171918&seasonTo=20172018&gameType=2&playerPlayedFor=team.3&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=evPoints,points|website=National Hockey League|access-date=November 25, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040406/http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?report=skaterpoints&reportType=season&seasonFrom=19171918&seasonTo=20172018&gameType=2&playerPlayedFor=team.3&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=evPoints,points|url-status=live}}
• Short-handed goals – Theoren Fleury, 7 (2000–01)
• Short-handed points – Mark Messier, 11 (1996–97)
• Short-handed assists – Mark Messier, 7 (1993–94)
• Even strength goals – Jean Ratelle, 40 (1971–72){{cite web|title=Players – New York Rangers – All Skaters – Rookie + Veteran – All-Time – All Countries – Available Provinces/States – Shoots Left or Right – All Draft Years – All Draft Rounds – 1917–1918 To 2017–2018 – Regular Season – Goals by Type (since 1933–34) – National Hockey League.com – Stats|url=https://www.nhl.com/stats/player?report=skatergoals&reportType=season&seasonFrom=19171918&seasonTo=20172018&gameType=2&playerPlayedFor=team.3&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=evGoals,goals|website=National Hockey League|access-date=November 25, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030215/http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?report=skatergoals&reportType=season&seasonFrom=19171918&seasonTo=20172018&gameType=2&playerPlayedFor=team.3&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=evGoals,goals|url-status=live}}
• Even strength points – Jean Ratelle, 82 (1971–72)
• Even strength assists – 46, Mark Messier (1991–92), Wayne Gretzky (1996–97) and Artemi Panarin (2019–20)
• Game-winning goals – Chris Kreider, 11 (2021–22)
• Overtime goals – 3, Tomas Sandstrom (1986–87), Adam Graves (1998–99) and Marian Gaborik (2011–12)
• Empty net goals – Michael Grabner, 7 (2017–18)
• Plus/minus – Brad Park, +63 (1971–72); Ron Greschner, –50 (1975–76)
• Shots on goal – Jaromir Jagr, 368 (2005–06)
• Penalty minutes – Troy Mallette, 305 (1989–90)
• Hat-tricks – Tomas Sandstrom, 4 (1986–87){{cite web |title=NYR Records - Individual records - Most Hat Tricks, Season |url=https://records.nhl.com/nyr/records/skater-records/hat-tricks/most-3-or-more-goal-game-one-season |website=records.nhl.com |access-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-date=April 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421204718/https://records.nhl.com/nyr/records/skater-records/hat-tricks/most-3-or-more-goal-game-one-season |url-status=live}}
• Goaltending wins – Mike Richter, 42 (1993–94){{cite web|title=Players – New York Rangers – Rookie + Veteran – All-Time – All Countries – Available Provinces/States – Catches Left or Right – All Draft Years – All Draft Rounds – 1917–1918 To 2017–2018 – Regular Season – Goalie Summary – National Hockey League.com – Stats|url=http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?report=goaliesummary&reportType=season&seasonFrom=19171918&seasonTo=20172018&gameType=2&playerPlayedFor=team.3&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=wins|website=National Hockey League|access-date=November 25, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041114/http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?report=goaliesummary&reportType=season&seasonFrom=19171918&seasonTo=20172018&gameType=2&playerPlayedFor=team.3&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=wins|url-status=live}}
• Goaltending shutouts – John Ross Roach, 13 (1928–1929)
• Goaltending saves – Gump Worsley, 2,376 (1955–1956)

{{div col end}}

Source:{{cite web |title=NYR Records - Individual Records |url=https://records.nhl.com/nyr/records/skater-records |website=NHL.com |access-date=December 2, 2023 |archive-date=October 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028151644/https://records.nhl.com/nyr/records/skater-records |url-status=live}}

• Emile Francis Award
• Ice Hockey in Harlem

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite book|author=Boucher, Frank |author2=Frayne, Trent |title=When The Rangers Were Young |year=1973 |publisher=Dodd, Mead & Company |location=New York |isbn=0-396-06852-9}}
• {{Cite book|title=New York Rangers: Seventy-Five Years |first=John |last=Halligan |year=2000 |publisher=Tehabi Books |isbn=0-7607-2298-6}}
• {{Cite book|title=The New York Rangers (Images of Sports) |first=John |last=Halligan |year=2003 |publisher=Arcadia |isbn=0-7385-1228-1}}
• {{Cite book|title=The New York Rangers: Broadway's Longest Running Hit |first=John |last=Kreiser |author2=Friedman, Lou |year=1997 |publisher=Sports Publishing LLC |isbn=1-57167-041-6}}
• {{Cite book|title=The Rangers |author=McFarlane, Brian |year=1997 |publisher=Stoddart |isbn=0-7737-6007-5 |author-link=Brian McFarlane}}
• {{Cite book|title=Losing the Edge: The Rise and Fall of the Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers |first=Barry |last=Meisel |year=1995 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=0-684-81519-2}}
• {{Cite book|title=New York Rangers: Millennium Memories |author=NY Daily News |year=2000 |publisher=Sports Publishing LLC |isbn=1-58261-147-5 |author-link=New York Daily News}}
• {{Cite book|title=Thin Ice: A Season in Hell With the New York Rangers |first=Larry |last=Sloman |year=1981 |publisher=Random House Publishing |isbn=0-440-18571-8}}
• Rangers' Biggest Trades Since 1990 (October 6, 2006)

{{Commons category|New York Rangers}}

• {{Official website|https://www.nhl.com/rangers}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160204001416/http://www.thegarden.com/ Madison Square Garden]
• [https://www.msg.com/ MSG Network]

{{New York Rangers}}

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{{s-ttl|title = Stanley Cup champions|years = 1927–28}}

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{{s-ttl|title = Stanley Cup champions|years = 1932–33}}

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{{s-ttl|title = Stanley Cup champions|years = 1939–40}}

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{{s-ttl|title = Stanley Cup champions|years = 1993–94}}

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Category:National Hockey League teams

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Rangers

Category:Ice hockey teams in the New York metropolitan area

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Category:Ice hockey clubs established in 1926

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