The 1996–97 New York Rangers season was the franchise's 71st season. The highlight of the season was that it was Wayne Gretzky's first season in New York.
The Rangers qualified for the playoffs as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, and advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they were defeated by the Philadelphia Flyers. This marked the last playoff appearance for the Rangers until the 2005–06 season.
Regular season The Rangers had the fewest power-play opportunities during the regular season (287), but the best power-play percentage (21.95%).
Final standings
Playoffs
Schedule and results
Regular season
| 1 || October 5, 1996 || @ Boston Bruins || 4–4 OT || 0–0–1 ||
| 2 || October 6, 1996 || Florida Panthers || 5–2 || 0–1–1 ||
| 3 || October 8, 1996 || @ Florida Panthers || 1–1 OT || 0–1–2 ||
| 4 || October 10, 1996 || Dallas Stars || 2–1 || 0–2–2 ||
| 5 || October 12, 1996 || @ Montreal Canadiens || 5–2 || 0–3–2 ||
| 6 || October 14, 1996 || Calgary Flames || 5–4 || 1–3–2 ||
| 7 || October 16, 1996 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 8–1 || 2–3–2 ||
| 8 || October 18, 1996 || St. Louis Blues || 2–1 || 3–3–2 ||
| 9 || October 20, 1996 || @ Tampa Bay Lightning || 5–2 || 3–4–2 ||
| 10 || October 23, 1996 || Washington Capitals || 3–2 || 3–5–2 ||
| 11 || October 25, 1996 || @ Florida Panthers || 6–4 || 3–6–2 ||
| 12 || October 27, 1996 || Buffalo Sabres || 6–4 || 4–6–2 ||
| 13 || October 29, 1996 || Florida Panthers || 1–1 OT || 4–6–3 ||
| 14 || October 30, 1996 || @ New Jersey Devils || 6–1 || 5–6–3 ||
| 15 || November 2, 1996 || @ Boston Bruins || 5–2 || 6–6–3 ||
| 16 || November 4, 1996 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 5–3 || 6–7–3 ||
| 17 || November 6, 1996 || @ New York Islanders || 1–1 OT || 6–7–4 ||
| 18 || November 9, 1996 || @ Washington Capitals || 3–2 || 6–8–4 ||
| 19 || November 11, 1996 || Vancouver Canucks || 3–2 || 6–9–4 ||
| 20 || November 13, 1996 || Philadelphia Flyers || 2–1 || 6–10–4 ||
| 21 || November 16, 1996 || @ Pittsburgh Penguins || 8–3 || 7–10–4 ||
| 22 || November 18, 1996 || @ Calgary Flames || 5–3 || 7–11–4 ||
| 23 || November 21, 1996 || @ Edmonton Oilers || 3–2 || 7–12–4 ||
| 24 || November 23, 1996 || @ Vancouver Canucks || 5–3 || 7–13–4 ||
| 25 || November 26, 1996 || @ Phoenix Coyotes || 3–1 || 8–13–4 ||
| 26 || November 27, 1996 || @ Colorado Avalanche || 5–2 || 9–13–4 ||
| 27 || December 1, 1996 || Montreal Canadiens || 6–2 || 10–13–4 ||
| 28 || December 4, 1996 || Philadelphia Flyers || 1–1 OT || 10–13–5 ||
| 29 || December 6, 1996 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 6–5 || 11–13–5 ||
| 30 || December 7, 1996 || @ Toronto Maple Leafs || 4–0 || 12–13–5 ||
| 31 || December 9, 1996 || Phoenix Coyotes || 5–2 || 13–13–5 ||
| 32 || December 11, 1996 || New York Islanders || 5–3 || 13–14–5 ||
| 33 || December 13, 1996 || @ Buffalo Sabres || 3–0 || 14–14–5 ||
| 34 || December 16, 1996 || Hartford Whalers || 5–2 || 15–14–5 ||
| 35 || December 18, 1996 || Los Angeles Kings || 4–0 || 16–14–5 ||
| 36 || December 21, 1996 || @ Montreal Canadiens || 3–2 OT || 17–14–5 ||
| 37 || December 22, 1996 || Florida Panthers || 7–3 || 18–14–5 ||
| 38 || December 26, 1996 || @ Ottawa Senators || 5–2 || 18–15–5 ||
| 39 || December 27, 1996 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || 3–2 || 19–15–5 ||
| 40 || December 30, 1996 || @ Dallas Stars || 3–2 || 20–15–5 ||
| 41 || December 31, 1996 || @ Tampa Bay Lightning || 4–2 || 20–16–5 ||
| 42 || January 2, 1997 || New York Islanders || 4–3 || 21–16–5 ||
| 43 || January 4, 1997 || Ottawa Senators || 6–4 || 22–16–5 ||
| 44 || January 6, 1997 || Colorado Avalanche || 2–2 OT || 22–16–6 ||
| 45 || January 8, 1997 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 4–3 || 22–17–6 ||
| 46 || January 9, 1997 || @ Washington Capitals || 2–0 || 22–18–6 ||
| 47 || January 12, 1997 || New Jersey Devils || 3–0 || 23–18–6 ||
| 48 || January 13, 1997 || New York Islanders || 4–2 || 23–19–6 ||
| 49 || January 21, 1997 || Edmonton Oilers || 4–4 OT || 23–19–7 ||
| 50 || January 22, 1997 || @ Washington Capitals || 5–3 || 24–19–7 ||
| 51 || January 25, 1997 || @ Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–4 || 25–19–7 ||
| 52 || January 27, 1997 || Chicago Blackhawks || 2–1 || 25–20–7 ||
| 53 || February 1, 1997 || @ Philadelphia Flyers || 4–2 || 26–20–7 ||
| 54 || February 2, 1997 || Boston Bruins || 3–2 || 26–21–7 ||
| 55 || February 5, 1997 || Hartford Whalers || 5–2 || 27–21–7 ||
| 56 || February 8, 1997 || @ New York Islanders || 5–2 || 28–21–7 ||
| 57 || February 9, 1997 || @ Florida Panthers || 4–3 || 28–22–7 ||
| 58 || February 13, 1997 || @ St. Louis Blues || 4–1 || 28–23–7 ||
| 59 || February 15, 1997 || @ Chicago Blackhawks || 2–0 || 28–24–7 ||
| 60 || February 17, 1997 || New Jersey Devils || 2–2 OT || 28–24–8 ||
| 61 || February 19, 1997 || @ New Jersey Devils || 1–1 OT || 28–24–9 ||
| 62 || February 21, 1997 || @ Hartford Whalers || 7–2 || 28–25–9 ||
| 63 || February 23, 1997 || @ Philadelphia Flyers || 2–1 || 28–26–9 ||
| 64 || March 1, 1997 || @ Detroit Red Wings || 3–0 || 28–27–9 ||
| 65 || March 3, 1997 || San Jose Sharks || 5–4 OT || 29–27–9 ||
| 66 || March 6, 1997 || @ Los Angeles Kings || 6–2 || 30–27–9 ||
| 67 || March 7, 1997 || @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || 5–2 || 30–28–9 ||
| 68 || March 9, 1997 || @ San Jose Sharks || 2–1 || 31–28–9 ||
| 69 || March 12, 1997 || Washington Capitals || 3–2 || 32–28–9 ||
| 70 || March 14, 1997 || @ Ottawa Senators || 4–3 OT || 33–28–9 ||
| 71 || March 17, 1997 || Ottawa Senators || 4–3 || 33–29–9 ||
| 72 || March 19, 1997 || Montreal Canadiens || 5–4 || 33–30–9 ||
| 73 || March 21, 1997 || Detroit Red Wings || 3–1 || 34–30–9 ||
| 74 || March 24, 1997 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–0 || 35–30–9 ||
| 75 || March 27, 1997 || @ New Jersey Devils || 4–0 || 35–31–9 ||
| 76 || March 29, 1997 || @ Hartford Whalers || 2–1 || 35–32–9 ||
| 77 || April 1, 1997 || Buffalo Sabres || 1–1 OT || 35–32–10 ||
| 78 || April 3, 1997 || Boston Bruins || 5–4 || 36–32–10 ||
| 79 || April 4, 1997 || @ Buffalo Sabres || 5–1 || 36–33–10 ||
| 80 || April 7, 1997 || Philadelphia Flyers || 3–2 || 37–33–10 ||
| 81 || April 10, 1997 || @ Philadelphia Flyers || 6–3 || 38–33–10 ||
| 82 || April 11, 1997 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 4–2 || 38–34–10 ||
Legend:
Playoffs
| 1 ||April 17, 1997 || @ Florida Panthers || 3–0 || Panthers lead 1–0 ||
| 2 ||April 20, 1997 || @ Florida Panthers || 3–0 || Series tied 1–1 ||
| 3 ||April 22, 1997 || Florida Panthers || 4–3 OT || Rangers lead 2–1 ||
| 4 ||April 23, 1997 || Florida Panthers || 3–2 || Rangers lead 3–1 ||
| 5 ||April 25, 1997 || @ Florida Panthers || 3–2 OT || Rangers win 4–1 ||
| 1 || May 2, 1997 || @ New Jersey Devils || 2–0 || Devils lead 1–0 ||
| 2 || May 4, 1997 || @ New Jersey Devils || 2–0 || Series tied 1–1 ||
| 3 || May 6, 1997 || New Jersey Devils || 3–2 || Rangers lead 2–1 ||
| 4 || May 8, 1997 || New Jersey Devils || 3–0 || Rangers lead 3–1 ||
| 5 || May 11, 1997 || @ New Jersey Devils || 2–1 OT || Rangers win 4–1 ||
| 1 || May 16, 1997 || @ Philadelphia Flyers || 3–1 || Flyers lead 1–0 ||
| 2 || May 18, 1997 || @ Philadelphia Flyers || 5–4 || Series tied 1–1 ||
| 3 || May 20, 1997 || Philadelphia Flyers || 6–3 || Flyers lead 2–1 ||
| 4 || May 23, 1997 || Philadelphia Flyers || 3–2 || Flyers lead 3–1 ||
| 5 || May 25, 1997 || @ Philadelphia Flyers || 4–2 || Flyers win 4–1 ||
Legend:
Player statistics
Scoring Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Rangers only. = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Rangers only. Player Regular season Playoffs 99 C 82 25 72 97 12 28 15 10 10 20 5 2 11 C 71 36 48 84 12 88 15 3 9 12 2 6 2 D 82 20 58 78 31 40 15 2 8 10 5 6 9 LW 82 33 28 61 10 66 15 2 1 3 1 12 24 RW 82 24 28 52 23 20 9 0 5 5 3 2 20 LW 69 24 24 48 16 48 15 4 7 11 7 4 25 D 77 9 29 38 1 59 13 1 3 4 2 20 27 RW 45 13 22 35 11 42 33 D 79 5 25 30 8 48 15 0 1 1 −3 2 8 RW 68 10 12 22 6 26 11 0 0 0 2 14 13 C 63 6 13 19 5 12 5 D 73 6 11 17 3 138 15 0 2 2 1 30 28 RW 44 6 9 15 −7 28 18 LW 67 8 6 14 2 37 3 0 0 0 −1 2 16 LW 41 10 3 13 −5 10 23 D 80 3 9 12 22 167 15 0 1 1 5 34 39 RW 16 5 5 10 4 6 15 LW 60 3 6 9 −1 195 10 0 0 0 −1 2 32 C 27 1 7 8 2 10 15 1 2 3 0 22 6 D 48 3 4 7 10 24 15 1 5 6 −2 8 21 RW 14 2 5 7 −3 2 15 3 4 7 1 0 26 RW 14 2 1 3 3 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 10 C 14 1 2 3 0 6 15 9 3 12 2 26 19 C 27 1 1 2 −4 4 3 0 0 0 −2 0 14 RW 12 1 1 2 1 6 37 RW 11 1 0 1 −2 30 29 D 40 0 1 1 −7 147 3 0 0 0 0 0 22 RW 45 0 1 1 −10 106 15 0 0 0 −3 20 21 D 14 0 1 1 0 25 38 D 6 0 0 0 −1 18 28 D 3 0 0 0 −1 6 4 0 0 0 −1 4 17 C 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 30 G 23 0 0 0 4 32 LW 9 0 0 0 −2 11 36 RW 2 0 0 0 −1 2 35 G 61 0 0 0 4 15 0 1 1 0 12 C 9 0 0 0 0 0
Goaltending Player Regular season Playoffs 35 Mike Richter 61 33 22 6 1945 161 2.69 .917 4 3598 15 9 6 488 33 2.11 .932 3 939 30 Glenn Healy 23 5 12 4 632 59 2.61 .907 1 1357 — — — — — — — — —
Awards and records
Awards TypeAward/honorRecipientRef League(annual) James Norris Memorial Trophy Brian Leetch NHL First All-Star Team Brian Leetch (Defense) NHL Second All-Star Team Wayne Gretzky (Center) League(in-season) NHL All-Star Game selection Wayne Gretzky Brian Leetch Mark Messier Team Ceil Saidel Memorial Award Adam Graves "Crumb Bum" Award Mike Richter Frank Boucher Trophy Mark Messier Good Guy Award Wayne Gretzky Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award Eric Cairns Players' Player Award Darren Langdon Rangers MVP Brian Leetch Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award Brian Leetch
Milestones MilestonePlayerDateRef First game Daniel Goneau October 5, 1996 Eric Cairns October 8, 1996 Christian Dube Sylvain Blouin November 18, 1996 Ryan VandenBussche December 13, 1996 Vladimir Vorobiev January 12, 1997 Jeff Nielsen February 19, 1997
Draft picks New York's picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft in St. Louis, Missouri at the Kiel Center.
Round # Player Position Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League) 1 22 Jeff Brown D Sarnia Sting (OHL) 2 48 Daniel Goneau LW Granby Predateurs (QMJHL) 3 76 Dmitri Subbotin LW CSKA Moscow (Russia) 5 131 Colin Pepperall LW Niagara Falls Thunder (OHL) 6 158 Ola Sandberg D Djurgårdens IF (SEL) 7 185 Jeff Dessner D Taft School (Connecticut) 8 211 Ryan McKie D London Knights (OHL) 9 237 Ronnie Sundin D Frölunda HC (SEL)
Notes
References