Top offensive seasons in New York Rangers history
Artemi Panarin completed a season for the ages in 2023-24, finishing with 120 points, second-most in New York Rangers history. He is one of only seven players to reach the 100-point milestone when wearing a Rangers sweater.
Along the way he passed several NHL legends and Hall of Famers who also had magical scoring seasons with the Rangers.
Here’s a breakdown of the best individual seasons in Rangers history.
Related: 10 key trades that helped New York Rangers win 1994 Stanley Cup
Wayne Gretzky – 97 points (1997-98)
The NHL all-time leading scorer, Gretzky played his final three seasons on Broadway, retiring in 1999. During his first season with the Rangers, Gretzky had 97 points in 1996-97 and helped lead them to the Eastern Conference Final. Gretzky led the League with 72 assists, the 15th time in his career he did so.
Rod Gilbert – 97 Points (1971-72 & 1974-75)
Gilbert is known as “Mr. Ranger,” their all-time leading scorer with 1,021 points and most consistent player for almost two decades. Despite not cracking 100 points in a single season, he reached 97 on two occasions in 1971-72 and 1974-75. He had an NHL career-high 43 goals in 1971-72 and 61 assists in 1974-75.
Mark Messier – 99 points (1995-96)
Two seasons after leading the Rangers to a Stanley Cup championship in 1994, Messier just missed out on his seventh 100-point campaign, falling one point short. He scored 47 goals in 1995-96, the fourth and final time of his illustrious career that Messier topped 40.
Brian Leetch – 102 Points (1991-92)
In 1991-92, Brian Leetch won the Norris Trophy as the best defenseman in the NHL when he became only the fourth player at his position to collect 100 points in a single season. During this historic season, Leetch set a Rangers’ record for most assists, 80, which was third most in the NHL. His 102 points topped all NHL defensemen and were ninth most among all skaters.
Mike Rogers – 103 Points (1981-82)
Rogers (photo unavailable) played seven seasons in the NHL and this was the third of three straight 100-point campaigns, the first two with the Hartford Whalers. He was one of 12 players in 1981-82 to score 100 points. His 65 assists tied his NHL career high.
Vic Hadfield – 106 Points (1971-72)
Hadfield had a career year in 1971-72, scoring 50 goals and collecting 106 points. He finished fourth in NHL scoring behind Phil Esposito (133), Bobby Orr (117), and teammate Jean Ratelle (109). In 12 other seasons with the Rangers, Hadfield never had more than than 66 points, though he did total 73 points with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1974-75.
Mark Messier – 107 Points (1991-92)
Messier ushered in a new era for the Rangers when he was traded to New York in 1991. During his first season, he collected 107 points with 35 goals and 72 assists to come within two points of the franchise record at the time. He won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP and Lester B. Pearson award for his efforts.
Jean Ratelle – 109 points (1971-72)
Ratelle became the first Rangers skater to collect 100 points in the regular season, netting his 100th point in a Feb. 20, 1972 contest against the Detroit Red Wings. Although his regular season abruptly ended on March 1, he finished with 109 points in 63 games to set a franchise milestone unchallenged for over three decades.
Artemi Panarin – 120 Points (2023-24)
Artemi Panarin had a Hart Trophy-caliber season with the Rangers in 2023-24, setting NHL career highs in goals (49) and points (120). The Breadman scored points in 67 games to help New York capture its fourth Presidents’ Trophy, with a franchise record 55 wins and 114 points.
Jaromir Jagr – 123 Points (2005-06)
During Jagr’s first full season with the Rangers in 2005-06, he broke Ratelle’s points record with 123 points in 64 games en-route to winning the Lester B. Pearson Award. On top of that, he set the Rangers single-season record with 54 goals, as well. Jagr finished that season second in goals and second in points in the NHL.
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