New York Rangers All-Time Ultimate 20-Man Roster

Top Snubs:

Forwards:

1. Don Maloney, LW-L (1978-89)
2. Phil Esposito, C-L (C) (1975-81)
3. Bun Cook, LW-L (1926-36)
4. Alex Kovalev, RW-L (1992-99)
5. Wayne Gretzky, C-L (1996-99)
6. Anders Hedberg, RW-L (1978-85)
7. Dean Prentice, LW-L (1952-63)
8. Tomas Sandstrom, RW-L (1984-90)
9. Mike Gartner, RW-R (1989-94)
10. Camille Henry, C-L (C) (1953-65, 67-68)
11. Bryan Hextall, RW-L (1936-48)
12. Derek Stepan, C-R (2010-Active)
13. Esa Tikkanen, LW-L (1992-94, 96-97, 98-99)
14. Rick Nash, RW-L (2012-Active)
15. Carl Hagelin, LW-L (2011-2015)
16. Ron Duguay, C/RW-R (1977-83, 86-88)
17. Pete Stemkowski, C-L (1970-77)
18. Nick Fotiu, L (1976-79, 80-85)

Frank Boucher, Bill Cook and brother Bun Cook formed what was called the “Bread Line” during the New York Rangers first golden era (winning Stanley Cups in 1928 and ’33). Only Bun was left off the club.

The toughest snubs of them all were the other brothers: Don and Dave Maloney. Don was probably the better player, but Dave served as captain.

Without a shadow of a doubt both guys deserved to be on the roster somewhere. What hurt Dave’s chances is that he’s a lefty, and trying to fit him in with all of the other lefty d-men was rough. This is why Beukeboom received the nod.

Don was just the 13th forward. Bill Cook came from an era that saw two cups and Callahan provided the lineup with the best grinding, defensive attributes it needed.

We were very close in taking Nick Fotiu and plugging him along the fourth-line as a goon up front. However, in having the toughness of Greschner and Buekeboom along the back-line, Fotiu was passed over.

Another guy that tempted us was Esa Tikkanen. The guy is such a winning player and serves so many purposes on the ice. In the end, he just didn’t play long enough in New York. The same can be said for Alex Kovalev and Phil Esposito purely from an offensive point of view.

Defense:

1. Dave Maloney, L (C) (1974-85)
2. Ryan McDonagh, L (C) (2010-Active)
3. Ching Johnson, L (1926-37)
4. Sergei Zubov, R (1992-95)
5. Dan Girardi, R (2006-Active)
6. Jim Neilson, L (1962-74)
7. Marc Staal, L (2007-Active)
8. Lou Fontinato, L (1954-61)

Like mentioned above, Dave Maloney was a tough snub. Ryan McDonagh had virtually no chance will all of the lefty defensemen ahead of him.

Ching Johnson, who was one of the more legendary fighters in team history, and Sergei Zubov, whose offensive brilliance is second to none, were both tempting.

Goalies:

1. Eddie Giacomin, R (1965-76)
2. Dave Kerr, L (1931-41)
3. Gump Worsley, L (1952-63)
4. John Davidson, R (1975-83)
5. John Vanbiesbrouck, R (1981-93)

Next to the Maloney brothers in the snub category is Eddie Giacomin, a guy who Rangers fans adored in a “next level” fashion.

Prior to Richter and Lundqvist, he was by far the best goalie in franchise history.

NEXT: New York Rangers Coaching Report Cards For 2015-16