The twentieth in a series of 30 articles, we will go through the history of every NHL franchise alphabetically and select an All-Time Roster for each. All stats as of October 20, 2011. New York Rangers (1926-Present) More than any team done before, the Rangers’ all-time roster was the most difficult to narrow down; so many forwards could make an equally convincing case to be on the list, and it was incredibly difficult to adjust for different eras. For a team so long in tenure, it is easy to forget that they had a 54-year Stanley Cup drought (they have won four in total: 1928, 1933, 1940, and 1994), so using playoff stats can’t always be a determining factor as was the case with fellow Original Six squads. Lundqvist over Richter may anger some veteran Ranger fans, but let’s face it, King Henrik is the much better goaltender. First Team C: Mark Messier (91-97, 2000-04): His importance goes beyond his points (4th with 691 in 698 games), as he ended the 54-year Cup drought in 1994; 1st in short-handed goals (23), game winners (41) and playoff points (80 in 70 games); 5-time All-Star; 1992 MVP & Ted Lindsay winner; Hall of Famer; Team Captain 91-97, 2000-04. W: Rod Gilbert (60-78): Franchise’s top scorer (406-615-1,021 in 1,065 games), most games played by a forward, twelve 20-goal seasons, eight 70-point seasons; 8-time All-Star; Hall of Famer. W: Andy Bathgate (52-64): 3rd among forwards in points with 729 (719 games), eight consecutive seasons with 70+ points (with 70-game seasons); 8-time All-Star; 1959 MVP; Team Captain 61-64. D: Brian Leetch (87-2004): 2nd in games played (1,129) and points (981 – most by a defenseman), franchise leader in power play goals (106); 9-time All-Star; 2-time Norris Trophy winner, 1994 Conn Smythe winner, 1989 Calder Trophy winner; Hall of Famer; Team Captain 97-2000. D: Brad Park (68-75): 4th in points by a defenseman (378), +173 in 465 games, 44 points in 64 playoff games, two 20-goal seasons; 6-time All-Star; Hall of Famer; Team Captain 74-75. G: Ed Giacomin (65-75): 3rd in games played (538), 2nd in wins (266-172-89), 1st in shutouts (49), 2.73 GAA; 6-time All-Star; 1971 Vezina Trophy winner; Hall of Famer. Second Team C: Jean Ratelle (60-76): 2nd most points among forwards (336-481-817 in 862 games), three 90-point seasons; 5-time All-Star; 1972 Ted Lindsay winner, 2-time Lady Byng winner; Hall of Famer. W: Frank Boucher (26-38, 43-44): 413 points in 533 games; eight times was top-2 in games played, nine times was top-6 in assists; 7-time Lady Byng winner; 2-time Stanley Cup winner; Hall of Famer. W: Adam Graves (91-2001): 507 points in 772 games, 2nd in power play goals (100) and short handed goals (16); 28 goals in 68 playoff games; eight 20-goal seasons including 52 in 93-94; 1994 All-Star; 1994 Stanley Cup winner. D: Harry Howell (52-69): Franchise games played leader (1,160), 345 points, 1,147 PIM; 6-time All-Star; 1967 Norris Trophy winner; Team Captain 55-57. D: Ron Greschner (74-90): 2nd among defensemen in points (610 in 982 games), 1,226 PIM, 1st in playoff games (84, 49 points); four 20-goal seasons; 1980 All-Star; Team Captain 86-87. G: Henrik Lundqvist (2005-Present): 3rd in wins (215-139-51), 2nd in shutouts (36), 1st in GAA (2.31) and SV% (.919); 2-time All-Star; 3-time Vezina Trophy finalist; only goalie in NHL history to begin his career with six 30-win seasons. Third Team C: Phil Esposito (75-81): 404 points, 82 power play goals in 422 games; four straight 30-goal/78-point seasons at the end of his career; 4-time All-Star; Hall of Famer; Team Captain 75-78. W: Bill Cook (26-37): 229 goals, 367 points in 474 games; led league in goals three times, eight times in the top-10; 2-time Stanley Cup winner; Hall of Famer; Team Captain 26-37. W: Jaromir Jagr (2004-08): 319 points, +67 in only 277 games; holds team record for goals (54), points (123), power play goals (24) in a season, all in 2005-06; 2004 All-Star; 2006 Ted Lindsay winner; Team Captain 2006-08. D: James Patrick (83-93): 3rd among defensemen in points (467 in 671 games), +70; seven consecutive 10-goal/40-point seasons, including 71 points, +34 in 91-92. D: Doug Harvey (61-64): 71 points in 151 games; 1962 All-Star; 1962 Norris Trophy winner; Hall of Famer. G: Mike Richter (88-2003): 1st in wins (301-258-87), 2.89 GAA, .904 SV%, 24 shutouts; 3-time All-Star; 1994 Stanley Cup winner; 41-33 playoff record with 9 shutouts. Coaches Lester Patrick (26-39): regular season record 281-206-107, playoff record 32-26-7; 2-time Stanley Cup winner. Emile Francis (65-68, 69-73, 74-75): regular season record 342-309-103, playoff record 34-41. Nick is RealGM’s NHL Feature Writer. You can reach him by email nick.obergan@realgm.com or on twitter @NickObergan