Dennis Gilbert

The Buffalo Sabres charge toward the playoffs with the kind of relentless energy that takes you back to the glory days of Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin and Rene Robert tearing up the ice. Front-office whispers hint at how this high-octane style mirrors the line that defined a franchise, but with today's roster grinding through tight checks and late surges.

Rod Gilbert earned his Mr. Ranger nickname through decades of loyalty that defined the franchise in its roughest eras. Those old-school Rangers fans still whisper his name like a legend who carried the Blueshirts on his back during the expansion years. His impact lingers in the Garden's rafters, reminding every new generation what true Ranger blood looks like.