The 2002–03 New York Rangers season was the franchise's 77th season. In the regular season, the Rangers posted a 32–36–10–4 record, finishing fourth in the Atlantic Division. The Rangers' ninth-place finish in the Eastern Conference left them out of the

Stanley Cup The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...

playoffs for the sixth straight season. The Rangers entered the season under the supervision of former

Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Con ...

assistant coach and

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

star Bryan Trottier in his first head coaching role. With the team on the outside of the playoff picture, he was fired after 54 games and replaced with general manager Glen Sather. The Rangers saw a major milestone reached as goaltender Mike Richter won his 300th game with the team. Shortly thereafter, he suffered a concussion against the

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

when Todd Marchant accidentally struck his head with his knee. Combined with a skull fracture Richter suffered toward the end of the previous season when hit in the face with a slap shot, it was the second such injury he suffered in the previous eight months and caused him to miss the rest of the season. Richter retired before the start of the next season.

Regular season

Final standings

Schedule and results

, - , 1 , , October 9 , , @

Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...

, , 4–1 , , 1–0–0–0 , , , - , 2 , , October 11 , ,

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

, , 4–1 , , 1–1–0–0 , , , - , 3 , , October 12 , , @

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

, , 6–0 , , 1–2–0–0 , , , - , 4 , , October 15 , ,

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

, , 5–4 , , 2–2–0–0 , , , - , 5 , , October 17 , , @

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

, , 4–4 OT , , 2–2–1–0 , , , - , 6 , , October 19 , ,

Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators (colloquially referred to as the Preds) are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Predators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Divisio ...

, , 2–2 OT , , 2–2–2–0 , , , - , 7 , , October 21 , , Tampa Bay Lightning , , 4–2 , , 2–3–2–0 , , , - , 8 , , October 23 , ,

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

, , 2–1 , , 2–4–2–0 , , , - , 9 , , October 25 , ,

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

, , 6–2 , , 2–5–2–0 , , , - , 10 , , October 26 , , @

, , 4–3 , , 3–5–2–0 , , , - , 11 , , October 28 , ,

Phoenix Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are an inactive professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. They competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division (1996–1998, 2021–2024) and ...

, , 3–2 OT , , 4–5–2–0 , , , - , 12 , , October 30 , , @ Tampa Bay Lightning , , 3–0 , , 4–6–2–0 , , , - , - , 13 , , November 2 , , @

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

, , 3–2 , , 4–7–2–0 , , , - , 14 , , November 3 , , St. Louis Blues , , 3–2 , , 4–8–2–0 , , , - , 15 , , November 5 , ,

, , 5–2 , , 5–8–2–0 , , , - , 16 , , November 7 , ,

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

, , 1–0 OT , , 6–8–2–0 , , , - , 17 , , November 9 , , @

Columbus Blue Jackets The Columbus Blue Jackets (often simply referred to as the Jackets) are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. The Blue Jackets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern C ...

, , 6–3 , , 6–9–2–0 , , , - , 18 , , November 11 , , @

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...

, , 5–4 , , 7–9–2–0 , , , - , 19 , , November 14 , , @

, , 2–1 , , 8–9–2–0 , , , - , 20 , , November 16 , , @

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

, , 3–1 , , 8–10–2-0 , , , - , 21 , , November 19 , , Mighty Ducks of Anaheim , , 3–2 OT , , 9–10–2–0 , , , - , 22 , , November 21 , , @

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...

, , 4–4 OT , , 9–10–3–0 , , , - , 23 , , November 23 , ,

, , 3–1 , , 9–11–3–0 , , , - , 24 , , November 25 , ,

, , 3–1 , , 10–11–3–0 , , , - , 25 , , November 28 , , @ Atlanta Thrashers , , 7–4 , , 10–12–3–0 , , , - , 26 , , November 29 , , @ Dallas Stars , , 3–3 OT , , 10–12–4–0 , , , - , - , 27 , , December 1 , , Tampa Bay Lightning , , 4–3 , , 11–12–4–0 , , , - , 28 , , December 3 , ,

, , 5–3 , , 12–12–4–0 , , , - , 29 , , December 5 , , @

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

, , 3–2 OT , , 12–12–4–1 , , , - , 30 , , December 6 , ,

, , 4–1 , , 12–13–4–1 , , , - , 31 , , December 8 , ,

, , 4–1 , , 12–14–4–1 , , , - , 32 , , December 11 , ,

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...

, , 4–3 , , 12–15–4–1 , , , - , 33 , , December 14 , , @

, , 4–1 , , 12–16–4–1 , , , - , 34 , , December 16 , ,

, , 2–1 OT , , 13–16–4–1 , , , - , 35 , , December 19 , ,

, , 3–1 , , 13–17–4–1 , , , - , 36 , , December 21 , , @

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

, , 3–2 , , 13–18–4–1 , , , - , 37 , , December 23 , ,

, , 2–2 OT , , 13–18–5–1 , , , - , 38 , , December 26 , ,

, , 6–1 , , 13–19–5–1 , , , - , 39 , , December 28 , , @ Florida Panthers , , 2–1 OT , , 14–19–5–1 , , , - , 40 , , December 29 , , @ Tampa Bay Lightning , , 5–3 , , 14–20–5–1 , , , - , 41 , , December 31 , , @

, , 2–0 , , 15–20–5–1 , , , - , - , 42 , , January 4 , ,

, , 2–2 OT , , 15–20–6–1 , , , - , 43 , , January 6 , , Ottawa Senators , , 5–2 , , 15–21–6–1 , , , - , 44 , , January 8 , ,

, , 5–1 , , 16–21–6–1 , , , - , 45 , , January 9 , , @

, , 3–2 , , 16–22–6–1 , , , - , 46 , , January 11 , , @

, , 3–1 , , 17–22–6–1 , , , - , 47 , , January 13 , ,

, , 5–1 , , 18–22–6–1 , , , - , 48 , , January 15 , , @

, , 2–1 OT , , 19–22–6–1 , , , - , 49 , , January 19 , ,

, , 4–2 , , 19–23–6–1 , , , - , 50 , , January 21 , , @

, , 5–0 , , 20–23–6–1 , , , - , 51 , , January 23 , , @

, , 4–2 , , 21–23–6–1 , , , - , 52 , , January 25 , , Atlanta Thrashers , , 4–1 , , 21–24–6–1 , , , - , 53 , , January 26 , , @

, , 7–2 , , 21–25–6–1 , , , - , 54 , , January 28 , , @ Atlanta Thrashers , , 5–2 , , 21–26–6–1 , , , - , 55 , , January 30 , ,

, , 4–3 OT , , 21–26–6–2 , , , - , - , 56 , , February 5 , , Ottawa Senators , , 5–3 , , 21–27–6–2 , , , - , 57 , , February 6 , , @ St. Louis Blues , , 4–4 OT , , 21–27–7–2 , , , - , 58 , , February 8 , , @

, , 2–1 , , 21–28–7–2 , , , - , 59 , , February 12 , , @ Florida Panthers , , 3–1 , , 22–28–7–2 , , , - , 60 , , February 14 , ,

, , 1–0 , , 23–28–7–2 , , , - , 61 , , February 15 , , @

, , 5–4 , , 23–29–7–2 , , , - , 62 , , February 17 , , @ Ottawa Senators , , 3–2 , , 23–30–7–2 , , , - , 63 , , February 19 , , @

Minnesota Wild The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Wild compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confer ...

, , 4–2 , , 24–30–7–2 , , , - , 64 , , February 21 , , @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim , , 6–2 , , 25–30–7–2 , , , - , 65 , , February 23 , , @

, , 4–1 , , 25–31–7–2 , , , - , 66 , , February 25 , , @

, , 3–3 OT , , 25–31–8–2 , , , - , 67 , , February 27 , ,

, , 4–1 , , 26–31–8–2 , , , - , - , 68 , , March 1 , , Florida Panthers , , 5–2 , , 27–31–8–2 , , , - , 69 , , March 3 , ,

, , 1–1 OT , , 27–31–9–2 , , , - , 70 , , March 7 , ,

, , 5–1 , , 28–31–9–2 , , , - , 71 , , March 10 , , Florida Panthers , , 2–1 , , 28–32–9–2 , , , - , 72 , , March 13 , , @ Ottawa Senators , , 3–2 OT , , 28–32–9–3 , , , - , 73 , , March 15 , , @

, , 3–1 , , 28–33–9–3 , , , - , 74 , , March 17 , ,

, , 1–0 , , 29–33–9–3 , , , - , 75 , , March 19 , ,

, , 3–0 , , 30–33–9–3 , , , - , 76 , , March 22 , , @

, , 2–1 , , 31–33–9–3 , , , - , 77 , , March 26 , ,

, , 3–1 , , 31–34–9–3 , , , - , 78 , , March 29 , , @

, , 3–1 , , 32–34–9–3 , , , - , 79 , , March 31 , , Atlanta Thrashers , , 4–3 OT , , 32–34–9–4 , , , - , - , 80 , , April 1 , , @

, , 2–2 OT , , 32–34–10–4 , , , - , 81 , , April 4 , ,

, , 2–1 , , 32–35–10–4 , , , - , 82 , , April 5 , , @

, , 5–4 , , 32–36–10–4 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C = Center; D =

Defense Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense industr ...

; 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.''

Goaltending

* '' = 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.'' Sources:

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Transactions

The Rangers were involved in the following transactions from June 14, 2002, the day after the deciding game of the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals, through June 9, 2003, the day of the deciding game of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals.

Trades

Players acquired

Players lost

Signings

Draft picks

New York's picks at the 2002 NHL entry draft in

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

, at the Air Canada Centre.

Notes

References

2002-03 2002–03 NHL season by team 2002 in sports in New York City 2003 in sports in New York City {{#ifexpr: 2002 < 10 , 0s, {{#expr:(((2002/10)-0.5) round 0)0s, Parameter 1=''year'' required! in Manhattan