This is just based on Regular Season AND Playoff success. Overall, a team like the 92 one might be a little higher, while I feel the 81 team doesn't get a lot if any recognition.
Since I was born in the mid-80s... I don't remember a lot from the old days, but the 1991-92 team was a great team and got unlucky due to the Graves suspension, Mario's magic potion, and Jagr being super human. That team was probably more talented than this one and had they gotten past Pittsburgh may have won the Cup.
I'd say that this team definitely belongs above the 97 team which got destroyed in round 3 and was old even though they had a big part of the 94 crew plus Gretzky.
Since I was born in the mid-80s... I don't remember a lot from the old days, but the 1991-92 team was a great team and got unlucky due to the Graves suspension, Mario's magic potion, and Jagr being super human. That team was probably more talented than this one and had they gotten past Pittsburgh may have won the Cup.
I'd say that this team definitely belongs above the 97 team which got destroyed in round 3 and was old even though they had a big part of the 94 crew plus Gretzky.
Yeah, the 1991-92 was a special team. Had some of the best youth ever in Rangers history. They were losing 5-0 to the Caps and came back and won a game. Too bad a lot of those guys were traded within two years but they needed that grit.
97 was a funny group because they half-@#@!$ the entire season and got it together for the playoffs. They had no Kovalev (out with an ACL tear I think it was), lost Bill Berg in Round 1 when Paul Laus slewfoots him, lost Sundstrom in round 2 when MaClean slashed him, and poor Potsy's mom passed away during the ECF. They had Dallas Eakina, Geoff Courtnall, and Luc Robataille as a checking line by round 3
81 was a very interesting group as well. Had most of the 79 crew, turned on their coach (Shero) had some horrible injuries, but got healthy under Craig Patrick and started playing their best in the playoff push. Won two rounds as well.
Since I was born in the mid-80s... I don't remember a lot from the old days, but the 1991-92 team was a great team and got unlucky due to the Graves suspension, Mario's magic potion, and Jagr being super human. That team was probably more talented than this one and had they gotten past Pittsburgh may have won the Cup.
I'd say that this team definitely belongs above the 97 team which got destroyed in round 3 and was old even though they had a big part of the 94 crew plus Gretzky.
Since you're quite young, I'll update you on the 91-92 team. That team was better than Pittsburgh and likely would've won the Cup if not for a work stoppage. They were on a tremendous roll when the season ended for a bit and their momentum was stopped. Even so, they were up 2-1 in games on Pitt and ahead in the second period when Mike Richter let in a 65 foot dump-in that changed the series. That tied the game, changed the momentum, Pitt went on to win the series and the Cup. Rangers had won the President's trophy that year and of course, went on to win the Cup two years later. That team was far better than this year's Rangers, although they were a much more veteran team.
So using success in the Modern Era
1. 2013 (SC Champs, Regular Season Champs)
2. 1994 (SC Champs)
3. 1972 (SC Finals)
4. 1979 (SC Finals)
5. 2012 (Division Champs, ECF)
6. 1997 (ECF)
7. 1981 (ECF)
8. 1986 (ECF)
9. 1992 (Division and Regular Season Champs)
10. 1990 (Division Champs)
11. 2007 (2nd best season post-lockout)
Thoughts?
This is just based on Regular Season AND Playoff success. Overall, a team like the 92 one might be a little higher, while I feel the 81 team doesn't get a lot if any recognition.
Since I was born in the mid-80s... I don't remember a lot from the old days, but the 1991-92 team was a great team and got unlucky due to the Graves suspension, Mario's magic potion, and Jagr being super human. That team was probably more talented than this one and had they gotten past Pittsburgh may have won the Cup.
I'd say that this team definitely belongs above the 97 team which got destroyed in round 3 and was old even though they had a big part of the 94 crew plus Gretzky.
Ever notice that every time (with the exception of '12) the team gets good and could possibly make PO noise there's a ridiculously stacked team standing in their way? Islanders, Pens, Flyers, etc.
The thing about talking about conference finals is that there were only 3 rounds in the playoffs until 1975. So in 1971, 1973 and 1974, they were one round from the Cup Final in those years. It's hard to stack that against the teams that made it to the ECF.
Since you're quite young, I'll update you on the 91-92 team. That team was better than Pittsburgh and likely would've won the Cup if not for a work stoppage. They were on a tremendous roll when the season ended for a bit and their momentum was stopped. Even so, they were up 2-1 in games on Pitt and ahead in the second period when Mike Richter let in a 65 foot dump-in that changed the series. That tied the game, changed the momentum, Pitt went on to win the series and the Cup. Rangers had won the President's trophy that year and of course, went on to win the Cup two years later. That team was far better than this year's Rangers, although they were a much more veteran team.
Great job..I remember that 65 footer on Richter
Wasn't that the series where Graves got susoended for slashing Lemieux?
The thing about talking about conference finals is that there were only 3 rounds in the playoffs until 1975. So in 1971, 1973 and 1974, they were one round from the Cup Final in those years. It's hard to stack that against the teams that made it to the ECF.
The Rangers team I am always most fond of are the teams from the 70,s. They challenged for the Cup for the first 5 years then realized they had to retool and made the trade with Boston for Espo and he led them back to the finals in 1979. I would rank those teams ahead of this years team but I see a bright future for this group.
I can't put this team up very high. Look at the quality of the teams we beat..7 games vs the Sens ans Caps are not very impressive.
If you look at this team's record in the last 40 games including the playoffs, I think it's .500. This is not a great team.
So if we were .500 the first 20 games and turned it on in the second half to finish with our record and then had the same playoff they would be a great team?
sorry but the 97 and 2007 teams were better then this team and both would have beat this team
I was thinking lately if the 07 and 08 teams were better than this one. I wonder how the Sens/Caps compare to the Thrashers and Devils. I think it's pretty clear that the Sabres/Pens were much better than the Devils this year. Those teams seem to be better offensively than this team, but if you look at the 07 team which is the gold standard before this season then you have them playing Buffalo who was known as an offensive team and they scored 2, 2, 2, 2, 1, and 4 goals. Then against the Pens the following year scoring 4, 0, 3, 2 (w/o an empty netter), and 2. However, they did at least managed to make the Thrashers and Devils look silly defensively, which we couldn't do against any playoff opponent this year.
92 team was solid, probably a tie between them and 97. I'd say 2012 ranks behind them. I can't say squat about the 70s and I don't even consider it modern history anymore. Any era where they still made cars that ran on leaded fuel in significant numbers, isn't modern.
Early 80s had some solid teams (Fotiu, Maloneys, Gresch, Duguay, etc.) though I don't think any were better because Henke tips the scales there. JD, Beezer, etc. where nice, but Henke may end up being the greatest goalie this organization has seen.
The late 80s are a whole lot of meh, I'm no Kelly Kisio fan.
