Forward Line 1
- LW: Adam Graves, L (1991-2001)
- C: Mark Messier, L (C) (1991-97, 2000-04)
- RW: Andy Bathgate, R (C) (1952-64)
Line No. 1 is not only capable of scoring, it’s downright nasty.
Mark Messer leads the squad. How could he not? He’s the second all-time leading NHL scorer. The captain, who did the impossible in 1994, will center his longtime running mate Adam Graves and the Rangers fourth all-time point scorer in Andy Bathgate.
Are these guys the top three forwards in Rangers history? No, but that’s the point. We’ve constructed this first line with familiarity and balance across all four lines in mind.
Messier ranks fifth in team history with 591 points; Bathgate is fourth with 729; and Graves is third in goals with 280. Oh yeah, Bathgate is fourth in goals with 272.
Messier was Graves’s center in 1994 when the latter broke the Rangers single-season goals record with 52.
We feel pretty comfortable with Messier centering these two snipers.
