The Forgotten Hockey Players of Broadway Podcast

A nostalgic look back at our favorite hockey hero's who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960's,70's and 80's.

In episode number 49 Tom and Rob recap the Rangers entire 2022 season with particular attention to how the club played during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

* The Team exceeded all expectaions for the regular season and appears to be ahead of schedule with the rebuild.

* How do you grade the teams performance during the playoffs ? Yes, they did defeat the Penguins and Caines but both of those clubs had significant injury issues in goal and in the case of the Penguins with Crosby as well. So how good are the Rangers ?

* Would the final grade and perception of the team be as positive if they had lost to a healthy Penguins or Caines in the first or second round of the playoffs?

* Finally, what moves should the Rangers make during the off season to advance the teams prospects for 2023 ? Do they go the organic route and encourage the development of the kids including Othmann and Cuylle or trade off some of the their better prospects for seasoned veterans that can potentially make an immediate impact ?

A nostalgic look back at our favorite hockey hero's who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960's,70's and 80's.

*In episode number 48 Tom, Rob and Mike review the Rangers performance at the All-Star break and where they are likely headed  to start the second half of the season. The guys then pivot to the main topic of the show and discuss some of the players on other teams in the league that irritated, tormented ,frustrated and just drove  Rangers fans crazy over the years.

!960's and 70's

* Monreal Canadiens- Power forward John Ferguson. Rough and tumble winger that could fight and score clutch goals against the Blueshirts. Later became the GM of the Rangers.

* Boston Bruins- Wayne Cashman- Tall and rangy Power forward who  played on Phil Esposito's left wing giving Espo the time and space to become one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history. Cashman was also a feared fighter could score goals as well- Cashman later became an assistant coach for the Rangers. Derek Sanderson- One of the best penalty killers of his day that could score goals, fight and just be a big thorn in the side of the Rangers. He also became a Ranger later in his career. How about Ted Green, Johnny ( Pie) McKenzie

1970's , 1980's , 1990's

* Philadelphia Flyers- We could have spent five hours discussing Dave Schultz, Moose dupont, Mel Bridgeman, Kenny Linseman, Bob Kelly, Dave Brown, Behn Wilson, Don Saleski.

1970's to the present

* NY Islanders- Was there anything more annoying to a Rangers fan than seeing our little brothers from the Island scoring clutch goals, beating us up physically and winning big games and Stanley Cups ? How about power forwards, Bobby Nystrom and Clarke Gillies. The little terror with the big heart and bigger punch...Gary Howatt. The clutch goaltending of Battling Billy Smith. Currently, Matt Martin, Ross Johnston, Cal Clutterbuck and Casey Cizikas.

* Listen to Tom , Mike and Rob discuss many other players from these teams and others that  continue to be a thorn in the side of the Rangers and their fans.

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A nostalgic look back at our favorite hockey hero's who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960's,70's and 80's.

*In episode number 47 Tom, Rob and Mike discuss the 1988-89 season when "Hall of Famer " and former Montreal Canadiens right winger Guy Lafleur played for the NY Rangers. They also touch on the performance and results of this years Rangers team as well as other clubs throughout the NHL. 

*LaFleur was drafted first overall by the Canadiens during the 1971 NHL draft.

* LaFleur holds the Canadiens all time record for points with 1,246 including 518 goals.

* First player in NHL history to score 50 goals or more for six consecutive seasons including sixty goals during the 1977-78 season.

* Played on five Stanley Cup Championships with Montreal.

* 3 time Art Ross   Trophy Winner

* 2 time Hart Memorial Trophy Winner

* 6 time First team All-Star right winger

* Won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1977

*Inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame in 1988

*Played in 67 games and scored 18 goals many of which were clutch for the Rangers during the 1988-99 season while instantly becoming a fan favorite.

* The guys also discussed the Rangers performance thus far during the  2021-22 season.

* Will Georgiev continue to play excellent goal for the club while Shesterkin mends from another injury.

*Have Reaves, Blais (now injured) and Goodrow made the Rangers a tougher team to play against ?

* Are the youngsters finally contributing thus far and why is the team continuing to struggle 5 on 5. 

* Who on the team is a potential trade target and should management and fans alike be more focused on next season as a pivotal year in the development for the team?

A nostalgic look back at our favorite hockey hero's who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960's,70's and 80's.

*In episode number 46 Tom, Rob and Mike discuss the Great Career of former Rangers Right Winger and "Hall Of Famer" Rod Gilbert who passed away this past August. They also touch on the roster moves made this past summer by Chris Drury and how the team may preform to start the season.

*Gilbert was unquestionably the Greatest "homegrown" player to ever spend their entire career with the Rangers as well as the greatest right wing to ever play for the club.

* Gilbert holds the Rangers all time record for Goals 406 and career points 1021

* Also known as "Mr. Ranger" Gilbert played right wing on what most hockey experts believe is the longest tenured number 1 line in history. Almost 10 years a member of the GAG line with Vic Hadfield and childhood friend Jean Ratelle. Gilbert was known for his fast skating, booming slap shot ,quick release and willingness to play hard and physical on every shift despite not being one of the bigger players in the league. He also had a mental toughness and resiliency that allowed him to overcome several horrific injuries including two major back surgeries that threatened his career.

* Played 19 years for the Rangers 

* Averaged almost a point per game during both the regular season and playoffs

*Inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame in 1982

*Childhood friend of Jean Ratelle that resulted in being teammates in Pee wee, Juniors, Minor leagues and finally with the Rangers

* Played in 8 All-Star games

* First Rangers player to have his No. 7 retired at MSG, the first to receive the honor

* Won the Bill Masterson Trophy in 1976 and the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1991

* Associated with the Rangers as an ambassador for the club leading many projects throughout the community including the Garden of Dreams Foundation and serving as President of the Rangers alumni association.

* Tom's fondest memory of Rod Gilbert was his game 4 winning overtime goal against the Flyers at MSG during the 1973-74 playoffs .

* The guys also discussed the upcoming 2021-22 season for the Rangers and how the FA signings and trades made during the summer will impact the club this season and beyond.

* Will Goodrow, Reaves and Blais make the Rangers a tougher team to play against ?

* Are the youngsters finally ready to take a giant leap forward and distinguish themselves as future Rangers stars leading to a playoff birth ?

A nostalgic look back at our favorite hockey hero's who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960's,70's and 80's.

*In episode number 45 Tom, Rob and Mike analyze and recap the Rangers 2021  season.

* The Rangers completed the season in disappointing fashion leading to dramatic changes to the front office and coaching staff.

*The  keys for future success of the franchise:

*Will Shesterkin and Georgiev be able to assert themselves as a successful goaltending tandem next season and beyond ?

* Will the youngsters on the blue line especially Fox, Lindgren, Miller, Jones and the newly signed Lindqvist show dramatic improvement on the way to becoming a championship caliber group of defensemen ?

* The Rangers were either the youngest or second youngest team in the league this season. The question remains should the youngsters ( especially Chytl, Kakko, Kravtsov and others) still be considered talented players with high ceiling potential going forward?

* What will the club do with Tony DeAngelo ,Ryan Strome and Brendan Smith ?

* Can New GM and President Chris Drury find the right head coach to further develop the young squad and mold them into championship contenders?.

*  Has James Dolan decided that's it's time to abandon the rebuild and focus soley on making the playoffs ?

* Will the Rangers pay more attention to building a more physical and mentally tough and balanced club capable of playing a relentless 200 foot game, excelling on face-offs and imposing their will on the competition?

A nostalgic look back at our favorite hockey hero's who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960's,70's and 80's.

*In episode number 44 Tom and Rob discuss some of our favorite Rangers broadcasters since the 1960s as well as some of the top current broadcasters in the league.

* Win Elliot and Jim Gordon were Tom's first Rangers broadcasters he watched and listened to during the early 1960s.

* Marv Albert was Tom's favorite Rangers announcer on Radio and Jim Gordon on television

* Tom's favorite color commentator during Rangers games were Bill Chadwick on radio with Albert as well as on Television with Jim Gordon. " Shoot the Puck Barry" He couldn't shoot the puck in the ocean if he was standing on the end of a pier"

* Rob and Tom enjoyed listening to Gary Thorne and Dan Kelly back in the day as well as John Forslund, Brendan Burke and  Mike Emrick most recently.

* Tom and Rob agree that Gary Thorne has probably the greatest voice in all of Hockey.

A nostalgic look back at our favorite hockey hero's who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960's,70's and 80's.

*In episode number 43 Tom, Rob and Mike preview the upcoming 2021 NY Rangers season.

* The Rangers start the season with back to back games against archrival NY Islanders.

*Some keys to the season:

*Will Shesterkin and Georgiev be able to assert themselves as a top goaltending tandem in their division and the league ?

* How will K'Andre Miller fit with Jacob Trouba on the first pair D ?

* Will Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren pick up where they left off last season after an impressive rookie campaign for both players ?

* Will Tony DeAngelo continue his improved play and offensive production from last season ?

* Can Mika Zibanejad continue his ascension as one of the best centers in the league while raising the level of play of wingers Buchnevich and Kreider.

* Number one draft pick Alexis Lafrenière starts his NHL career with the Rangers on the third line with Filip Chytil and Julien Gauthier. Can the youngsters develop into a dominant offensive force for the club ?

* Will Kappo Kakko rebound from a mediocre rookie season and develop into an NHL Superstar ?

* Does Coach Quinn have to guide the club to the playoffs in this his third season ?

* What effect will another season played under strict Covid 19 protocols and without fans have on the club and the League ? 

* The Rangers will be competing in the most physical and rugged division in the NHL. Do they have the size and grit to compete for an entire season ?

A nostalgic look back at our favorite hockey hero's who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960's,70's and 80's.

*In episode number 42 Tom, Rob and Mike discuss the Great Career of former Rangers defenseman Jimmy "Chief" Neilson number 15 who passed  away earlier this month .The guys also touch on the brief career of the unique, interesting and very entertaining former goaltender for the Rangers Gilles Gratton.

*  Jim Neilson was signed by the Rangers at the age of 18 in 1958 and started his 12 year career on the Rangers Blue line in 1962.

* The "Chief"  was one of the fan favorites at MSG while he played for the Rangers and also for Oakland Seals/ Cleveland Barons and finally with the WHA Edmonton Oilers.

*Neilson grew up along with his two sisters in an orphanage and was one of the first aboriginal players to play in the NHL.

* Neilson was an extremely agile and physically tough player who played hard yet fair and was considered a gentleman on and off the ice. He was also known for his hard shot and strong passing ability especially when it came to his soft and quick outlet passes to his forwards.

* Scored a career high of 10 goals and 44 points during the 1968-69 season.

* Neilson earned NHL All-Star honors in 1967 and 71 while earning second team honors in 1967-68.

*Neilson was also a top 5 Norris Trophy finalist twice during his career with the Rangers.

* Neilson played alongside Hall of Famer Brad Park but was mostly remembered for teaming up with another outstanding Rangers defenseman Rod Seiling.

* Neilson finished his Rangers career at the completion of the 1974 season and finished with 60 goals, 238 assists for 298 points in 811 games on Broadway.

* Meanwhile Gilles Gratton number 33 played one season with the Rangers during the 1976-77 season backing up John Davidson.

* Known for his quirky demeanor Gratton is best known for his artistic and elaborate creation of the " Tiger mask" setting off an explosion of unique and flamboyant designs of goalie masks worn throughout the NHL.

* Tom, Rob and Mike fill you in on the rest of "Gratoony the Looney's " interesting and very amusing ideas and beliefs.

A nostalgic look back at our favorite hockey hero's who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960's,70's and 80's.

*In episode number 41 Tom, Rob and Mike discuss the results of the Stanley Cup Finals and former Rangers Ryan McDonagh and Kevin Shattenkirk celebrating their first Cup win. Then the guys reflect back on the career of one of the most dynamic and electric players in Rangers history, number 29 defenseman Reijo "Rexi' Ruotsalainen.

*  Ruotsalainen was drafted by the Rangers in the 6th round of the 1980 Draft.

*Reijo was one of the fan favorites at MSG while he played for the Rangers and also for the Edmonton Oilers and Devils during his 7 year career in the NHL.

* Ruotsalainen was an electric, skilled and incredibly fast skater with tremendous lateral movement and athleticism. known for his dominant slap and wrist shot, hockey IQ , passing ability and breath taking end to end rushes.

* Scored 18,16,20,28 and 17 goals respectively during his 5 years with the Rangers. Led the club in scoring with 73 points during the 1984-85 season where Herb Brooks installed him at left wing on the Mark Pavelich line for 32 games.

* Ruotsalainen earned NHL All-Star honors in 1986.

* One of Tom's fondest memories as a Rangers season ticket holder during the early 80's was watching Ruotsalainen beat the Islanders in March of 1983 (in a playoff like atmosphere at MSG) 2-1 with the game winning goal with only minutes to play. Rexi utilized his explosive speed and superior agility to skate around defenseman Tomas Jonsson and with his incredible wrist shot beat Goalie Kelly Hrudey over his left shoulder that ignited an ovation that almost blew the roof off at MSG.

* Traded by the Rangers in a lopsided deal in favor of Glen Sather and the Edmonton Oilers prior to the start of the 1986-87 season.

* He went on to win Two Stanley Cups with the Oilers despite only playing in a limited number of regular season games while playing in all of the Oilers playoff games during those two Stanley Cup wins. 

* He is a member of the Finnish Ice Hockey Hall Of Fame after a distinguished International Hockey Career as a player and coach.

A nostalgic look back at our favorite hockey hero's who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960's,70's and 80's.

*In episode 40 Tom, Rob and Mike review the progress of the Stanley Cup Finals , remember former Rangers captain Bob Nevin( we have included a replay of Episode #1 featuring Bob Nevin as a bonus ) who passed away last week as well as discuss the career of former Rangers Defenseman Tom Laidlaw.

* Laidlaw was drafted by the Rangers in the 6th round of the 1978 Draft.

Tom Laidlaw  was one of the fan favorites at MSG while he played for the Rangers and also for the Kings during his 11 year career in the NHL.

* Laidlaw played only one game for the Rangers minor league affiliate before promoted to the big club for the 1980-81 season.

* Currently Ranks 87 - Top 100 NY Rangers

* Laidlaw was a physical, steady and tough "stay at home '' defenseman who protected his teammates , blocked shots and cleared the crease for his teammates in goal.

* Traded by the Rangers along with Bobby Carpenter in a Mega deal to the Kings for HOFer Marcel Dionne , Jeff Crossman and a third round pick the latter part of the 1987 season.

* Laidlaw twice earned the Rangers prestigious  "Players Player award" .

* After his NHL career Laidlaw has been a Players Agent, Corporate Motivational speaker and currently has written a book  called "True Grit Life". He currently operates a website by the same name focussing on personal development in all areas of life.

* He also was the first Canadian to appear on the television program "Survivor "