The New York Rangers had a very successful 2010s, that nearly resulted in their first Stanley Cup since 1994. Unfortunately, this team that featured some of the best players in franchise history just could not get it done.
Looking at the centers, there was a great group that represented the Blueshirts throughout the decade. But, it might be even stronger when looking at on the wings.
Let’s go over the top three wingers to play for the Rangers in the 2010s. This list is a hard one.
3. Rick Nash
Prior to Artemi Panarin coming to New York, the blockbuster trade acquisition of Rick Nash was one of the biggest moves of the 2010s. He was a big forward, and exceptional in goal scoring, in which he potted 42 goals in 2014-15.
Nash was just outside the top-three goal scorers in Rangers history, not by numbers but by pure skill. No. 61 was a highlight reel, and his big body also added another punishing dynamic to his game.
Nash was forced to retire in 2019, at 33-years-old. Concussions shortened a pure goal scorer's fantastic career, and his trade from New York to Boston netted the organization a return that led to Ryan Lindgren and K'Andre Miller joining the fold, and the impact of that move is still being felt to this day.
2. Mats Zuccarello
One of the smaller hockey players in the NHL, Mats Zuccarello personified exactly what it is to be a Ranger. He had grit for his shorter size, and a fantastic sense of offensive instincts. Zuccarello's story is a sensational one in which he had an early impact, he feuded with then coach John Tortorella, he ended up playing overseas, and then made a triumphant return to the organization.
He led the Rangers in scoring for four straight seasons, but these were the years when this team was defensively driven, with the greatest goaltender in franchise history, Henrik Lundqvist. High point marks were not a necessity for a winning hockey team. Zuccarello is the most successful Norwegian born player in league history, and an unsung Rangers legend of the 2010s.
1. Chris Kreider
It is hard not to think of the 2010s Rangers runs without thinking of No. 20. Chris Kreider is someone who will have his number lifted to the roof of Madison Square Garden, and a player who had the tools to become a Hall of Fame player if he'd played up to his potential a lot sooner.
His rise to Rangers stardom came in that decade, and paved the way for his eventual 52-goal campaign in 2021-22. He was on his way to etching his name in several key spots of the Rangers' team record books, but his departure and Mika Zibanejad's meteoric production will prevent Kreider from holding key team history.
Kreider is going to appear once again on one of those rankings, but it will be on 2020s list.
