2002–03 New York Rangers season
| 2002–03 New York Rangers | |
|---|---|
| Division | 4th Atlantic |
| Conference | 9th Eastern |
| 2002–03 record | 32–36–10–4 |
| Home record | 17–18–4–2 |
| Road record | 15–18–6–2 |
| Goals for | 210 |
| Goals against | 231 |
| Team information | |
| General manager | Glen Sather |
| Coach | Bryan Trottier (Oct.–Jan.) Glen Sather (Jan.–Apr.) |
| Captain | Mark Messier |
| Alternate captains | Brian Leetch Eric Lindros |
| Arena | Madison Square Garden |
| Average attendance | 18,148 (99.7%) |
| Minor league affiliates | Hartford Wolf Pack Charlotte Checkers |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Petr Nedved (27) |
| Assists | Tom Poti (37) |
| Points | Petr Nedved (58) |
| Penalty minutes | Dale Purinton (161) |
| Plus/minus | Cory Cross (+13) |
| Wins | Mike Dunham (19) |
| Goals against average | Mike Dunham (2.29) |
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 playoffs for the sixth straight season for the first time in franchise history.
The Rangers entered the season under the supervision of former Colorado Avalanche assistant coach and New York Islanders 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 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.