New York Rangers' Best Homegrown Players

In the late '90s, the Rangers earned the reputation of bringing in high-priced free agents instead of developing young players. Joining the organization in 2000, Glen Sather decided to change the culture in New York.

While he did make a few more high-priced, high-profile free agent signings, he also laid the groundwork to focus on developing players within the organization. Sather brought in Gordie Clark to improve the team's scouting approach and to begin bringing in the right kinds of players.  Clark was instrumental in changing the Rangers' drafting strategy, selecting many of the picks currently playing in New York.  

The Rangers have had nine draft picks suit up in a Blueshirt this season.  Here are their top homegrown players.

8. Chris Kreider: First Round, 2009

Kreider, a first-round pick in 2009, joined the Rangers for the 2012 playoffs, where he posted five goals in 18 games and helped the Rangers reach the Eastern Conference Finals.  

Despite some struggles in 2013—the winger has been shuffled back and forth to the Rangers' AHL affiliate Connecticut Whale—Kreider has the tools and skills to succeed at the NHL level.

7. J.T. Miller: First Round, 2011

J.T. Miller, selected 15th overall in 2011, came out of the U.S. National Development Program.  Most recently, he led Team USA to a surprising gold medal at the 2013 World Junior Championships—their third overall and first since 2010.  Miller played a solid two-way game in the tournament.

He brought that style of play to the Connecticut Whale.  With injuries to Callahan and Kreider earlier this season, Miller was called up to join the Rangers in February.  He had an immediate impact, scoring two goals in his second NHL game.  

While he's still adapting to the game, he's already played well enough to earn a spot in the Rangers' lineup and will certainly be a part of their future.

6. Michael Del Zotto: First Round, 2008

The 2008 draft was defense-heavy, with blueliners making up half of the first 20 picks. Michael Del Zotto was the 10th defenseman selected.

After one more season in the OHL, he made the leap to the NHL for the 2009-10 season.  It took just two games for Del Zotto to score his first NHL goal—a game-winner in the Rangers' home opener against the Senators.  Del Zotto, then only 19, continued putting up points, finishing the season sixth on the team in scoring.  

Though he struggled in his sophomore season, even getting demoted to the AHL, Del Zotto eventually rediscovered his game.  He set career highs in 2011-12 with 10 goals and 31 assists for 41 points, finishing 18th among all NHL blueliners in scoring. 

As he continues to work on his defensive game, Del Zotto remains an offensive threat from the Rangers' blue line. 

5. Carl Hagelin: Sixth Round, 2007

After a solid college hockey career with the Michigan Wolverines, Hagelin joined the Rangers' AHL affiliate Connecticut Whale for the 2011 playoffs.  

He started the following season in Connecticut before getting the call to join the Blueshirts in November. Hagelin registered an assist in his first game and scored his first NHL goal in his second. His standout play earned him a spot at the 2012 NHL All-Star game as a part of the rookie team, where he was able to participate in the All-Star Skills Competition. It was there that Hagelin claimed the award for the league's fastest skater. 

Hagelin soon found a spot on the Rangers' top line, skating alongside Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik. His speed and puck-handling skills made him a great complement for the playmaking Richards and goal-scoring Gaborik.

This season, Hagelin has once again found himself on the team's top line, this time with Richards and the newly-acquired Rick Nash.  He's continued to improve as a player, and would be on pace for career scoring highs if not for the lockout-shortened season.

4. Marc Staal: FIrst Round, 2005

At the 2005 draft, Rangers GM Glen Sather watched as Marc Staal remained on the board after the first 10 selections. The Rangers' scouting staff had him pegged as a top-five player and figured he'd be long gone by then.  With his name not yet called, the Blueshirts decided to make a move.  The Rangers swapped picks with the Atlanta Thrashers to move up to the 12th spot, where they were able to select Staal.  

Staal was everything the Rangers hoped he'd be. He started the 2007-08 season with the Rangers, taking the approach of keeping his game simple and focusing on defense. The following season, he started to find opportunities for offense—especially under the more offensive system employed by new coach John Tortorella.  

A concussion suffered at the shoulder of his own brother, Eric, midway through the 2010-11 season, set him back quite a bit.  By the 2012 playoffs, though, he was back in form with crisp passes, powerful slap shots, and heavy hits.

Injuries have once again slowed Staal's career, as a recent eye injury has him shelved indefinitely.  Ever a warrior, he'll battle back and once again be in the lineup, as he is expected to fully recover, though no timetable has been set. 

3. Derek Stepan: Second Round, 2008

The Minnesota native started his NHL career with a bang.  More specifically, he started it with a hat trick, becoming only the fourth player in NHL history and the first Ranger to do so. Stepan continued his strong play that season, hitting the 20-goal mark and finishing fifth in scoring among all rookies.

During his sophomore season, he solidified his claim for the role of second-line center in New York. His goal total dipped slightly, but he picked up more helpers, thanks in part to most of his time spent playing alongside either Ryan Callahan or Marian Gaborik.  

Stepan continues to improve his game.  This season, he's taken great strides to improve his abilities in the faceoff circle.  It's a good thing, too, since he's taken more draws than any Rangers' center this season. He's become the legitimate second-line center the Rangers need, and he's still improving. 

2. Ryan Callahan: Fourth Round, 2004

Captain Callahan was selected in the fourth round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, 127th overall.  Ahead of him, the Rangers picked goaltender Al Montoya (now with the Jets), center Lauri Korpikoski (now with the Coyotes), Darin Olver, Dane Byers, Bruce Graham, Brandon Dubinsky, Zdenek Bahensky and Billy Ryan. He's the only 2004 pick still with the team.  

Callahan made his Rangers debut in 2006. He bounced back and forth between the NHL and AHL for a game or two at a time before finally sticking with the Blueshirts in March of 2007. In New York, he posted four goals in his first 14 games. A knee injury slowed him down the following year, limiting him to just eight goals and five assists in 52 games. 

Callahan came into his own in 2008-09, blowing away his past numbers with 22 goals and 40 points. His self-sacrificing, hard-working attitude embodied the approach taken by new head coach John Tortorella.  Callahan maintained his 20-goal pace while battling through injuries, most caused by selflessly throwing his body in front of opposing shots. 

The leader of the Rangers in style of play became the leader of the team in title when Callahan was named captain prior to the 2011-12 season.  He became the first homegrown captain since Hall of Famer Brian Leetch wore the 'C' back in 1997-98, following the departure of Mark Messier. 

1. Henrik Lundqvist: Seventh Round, 2005

Lundqvist was the 21st goalie selected in the 2000 Entry Draft.  He wasn't even the first goalie selected by the Rangers. No, that honor went to Union College's Brandon Snee.  

Henrik wasn't even the first member of his family picked that year. His twin brother Joel went first, getting tapped by the Dallas Stars in the third round.  Henrik was, however—hands down—the best goalie selected that year.  

He joined the Rangers after the 2004-05 lockout, where he was expected to back up newly-acquired netminder Kevin Weekes.  An injury to Weekes opened the door for Lundqvist to take over the reins as the No. 1 goaltender.

That's exactly what he did.

Henrik set a record with seven 30-win seasons to start a career, becoming only the fourth goalie in NHL history to have seven consecutive 30-win seasons.

He's led the team to the playoffs in six of those seven years, going as far as the Eastern Conference Finals in 2011-12.  That year, he also posted career bests with a 1.97 GAA and .930 save percentage, both of which helped him earn his first Vezina Trophy.  

Among a very talented group, the Blueshirts' standout goaltender is far and away the best homegrown player in the Rangers' lineup.