The 2003–04 New York Rangers season was the franchise's 78th season. The team finished with one of the worst records in the league and missed the Stanley Cup playoffs for the seventh consecutive season despite bringing in future Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr midway through the season. The team would eventually trade away most of its major acquisitions, including their long-time defensive stalwart Brian Leetch. This would prove to be the final season for team captain Mark Messier. Off-season On July 1, 2003, general manager Glen Sather announced he would remain the Rangers head coach. Regular season Glen Sather stepped down as head coach on February 24, 2004, to focus on his managerial duties. Assistant coach Tom Renney was named interim head coach. Sather would make nine trades between then and the March 9 trading deadline, shipping out several veteran players for draft picks and prospects. Final standings Schedule and results |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 1 || October 10 || @ Minnesota Wild || 5 – 3 || 0–1–0–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 2 || October 11 || @ Columbus Blue Jackets || 5 – 0 || 0–2–0–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="white" | 3 || October 16 || Atlanta Thrashers || 0 – 0 OT || 0–2–1–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="white" | 4 || October 18 || Carolina Hurricanes || 2 – 2 OT || 0–2–2–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 5 || October 20 || Florida Panthers || 3 – 1 || 1–2–2–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 6 || October 25 || Detroit Red Wings || 3 – 1 || 2–2–2–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 7 || October 28 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || 3 – 1 || 2–3–2–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 8 || October 30 || Carolina Hurricanes || 4 – 1 || 3–3–2–0 || |- |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 9 || November 1 || @ Montreal Canadiens || 5 – 1 || 4–3–2–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FF6F6F" | 10 || November 2 || Colorado Avalanche || 3 – 2 OT || 4–3–2–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" | 11 || November 4 || Dallas Stars || 3 – 0 || 5–3–2–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" | 12 || November 6 || @ Carolina Hurricanes || 6 – 3 || 5–4–2–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FF6F6F" | 13 || November 8 || Philadelphia Flyers || 2 – 1 OT || 5–4–2–2 || |- align="center"