65. Mike Rogers

I changed my ranking system after having posted Mike Rogers at #60 – in my new rankings, Rogers fell to #65, so enjoy this bonus entry!

Heading into the 1981-82 season, Mike Rogers had been with the Hartford Whalers for six years, was captain of the team, and had put up 105 points in both of the previous two seasons. Four days before opening night, Rogers was understandably stunned to find out he had been traded to the Rangers. Despite the shock, he went out and blazed a 103 point season for the Rangers. League-wide scoring was off the charts at this time, and my adjustments bring Roger’s 1981-82 stat line down considerably to a still excellent 30 G/52 A/82 P. He was the Rangers biggest offensive weapon that year and then (along with Mark Pavelich) again in 1982-83. In 1983-84 and 1984-85, Rogers’ scoring dipped slightly, though he remained an important piece of the Rangers’ offense both years.

The team made the playoffs in all four of Rogers’ full seasons with the club, but unfortunately Rogers postseason games were limited. After posting six adjusted points in nine playoff games in 1981, back spasms sidelined him in 1983, and then coach Herb Brooks benched him after one game in 1984. According to the New York Times, the “goal-directed” Rogers was scratched in favor of “the more defensive-minded Larry Patey.” It is easy to get the impression that Rogers’ defense was lackluster, but he scored by far the most shorthanded points for the Rangers during his tenure with the club, suggesting he was often used to kill penalties.

In addition to being the top shorthanded point getter, Rogers also led the team in total goals, total assists, even-strength goals, power-play assists, and power-play points from 1981-82 to 1984-85.

Despite being only 31 years old, Rogers was on the decline when the Rangers traded him to Edmonton early in the 1985-86 season. He played just eight games with Edmonton, which concluded his time in the NHL. Rogers later worked 12 seasons doing radio color commentary for the Calgary Flames and is or was an advisor to skating analysis tech company Scorched Ice.

Watch Rogers put in a couple of goals by jumping to 19:50 and 22:30 of this video: