CHRIS DRURY’S COMEBACK TOUR
Chris Drury was at the center of every 2024-25 controversy. The New York Rangers GM wanted to make multiple changes last summer after coming up short in the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals against the Florida Panthers. However, salary cap issues and no trade clauses got in his way. Unable to tear apart his team, he accidentally tore out their heart.
As we all know, the Rangers missed the playoffs, Drury fired Peter Laviolette, and James Dolan gave Drury a contract extension and a chance to right his wrong. Drury has been on a roll ever since.
First, he showed a willingness to partner with a head coach, by bringing in his friend, two-time Stanley Cup Champion Mike Sullivan. Drury then showed the ability to massage egos by enabling Sullivan to hire David Quinn as an assistant, despite the fact that one of Drury’s first moves as the Rangers’ GM was to fire Quinn as the team’s head coach.
Next, showing that he listened to his veterans who wanted more communication, Drury not only kept Chris Kreider, who he now refers to as a “Ranger’s legend”, apprised of trade possibilities, he did the same with other veterans.
With offer sheet concerns growing around the league, he was able to lock up young RFAs Adam Edstrom, Juuso Parssinen, Matt Rempe, and Matthew Robertson in advance of July 1. He let Zac Jones know that he was still on the lineup bubble. When no trade materialized, he let him walk to the Buffalo Sabres as a show of good faith.
Many pundits, me included, were concerned with the landscape that Drury would find on July 1. Would Vladislav Gavrikov demand every last penny in order to pay New York State taxes? Would a rival team sign Will Cuylle to a “Matthew Knies sized” offer sheet? Would Drury get pennies on the dollar for K’Andre Miller?
Drury, with his baseball background, managed to go three-for-three. He signed Cuylle, replaced Miller with Gavrikov while picking up two premium draft picks and a top prospect. To put it in perspective, at the end of the day, Miller is being paid more by the Carolina Hurricanes than the Rangers are now paying Gavrikov.
Hitting His Stride
Some would argue that Drury solely got his job because Tom Wilson rag dolled Artemi Panarin in advance of Dolan firing John Davidson and Jeff Gorton. That is partially true, but ignores the fact that Drury was considered one of the hottest young executives in the NHL at the time. Dolan didn’t want to see him become a star elsewhere.
We are still two months away from training camp, but to this point, Drury has shown bounce-back ability. It appears as if he’s learned from his mistakes and might still realize his potential – while unlocking his team’s.
RANGERS PROJECTED OPENING NIGHT ROSTER
As discussed last week, I prefer to spread out my top six forwards across three separate lines. Preferably forming pairs such as Miller/Panarin, Trocheck/Lafreniere and Zibanejad/Cuylle. Mike Sullivan might consider this approach if his two top prospects – Brennan Othmann and Gabe Perreault – prove they are ready for major NHL minutes.
I’m going to project that both players start the season playing together with the Hartford Wolfpack in the AHL. This will give Sullivan a chance to evaluate his top 6 and then figure out how to incorporate the kids if their play warrants.
On the flip side, I think Scott Morrow, the top-rated defensive prospect acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes in the K’Andre Miller trade, will make the team out of camp.
Here’s how we expect it to shake out:
Forwards
Cuylle-Miller-Zibanejad
Panarin-Trocheck-Lafreniere
Berard-Parssinen-Raddysh
Edstrom-Carrick-Rempe
Brodzinski
Defensemen
Gavrikov-Fox
Schneider-Borgen
Soucy-Morrow
Vaakanainen
Goaltenders
Shesterkin-Quick
REVAMPING THE DEFENSE
As you are about to see below, the Rangers have completely reworked their defense, retaining only Adam Fox and Braden Schneider from their last playoff game in June 2024.
Other than Morrow, who brings some offensive flash with 39 points in 52 AHL games last season, the other new defensemen acquired since last December, are being relied on to provide structure in front of the Rangers’ goaltending tandem.
It’s a fairly obvious take — but a real take, nonetheless. The key to the Rangers returning to the playoffs, and Drury restoring his executive star, is having his imports perform well defensively in 2025-26.
QUICK TAKE ON NEXT SUMMER
Due to the incredible list of potential 2026 NHL Free Agents, the Rangers should not be in a rush to extend Artemi Panarin as he enters the final year of his deal. In the unlikely event one of the “Big 4” free agents makes it to July 1, Panarin’s $11.64m cap would likely be needed to pursue a younger superstar.
- Connor McDavid
- Kiril Kaprizov
- Jack Eichel
- Kyle Connor
Now that Drury has shown a greater sense of finesse, he can afford to walk the line with Panarin and his camp. Panarin, for his part, may also want to see how he fits under new head coach Sullivan. While he once thrived under John Tortorella in Columbus, that was a younger version of himself. Plus, unlike the Rangers’ previous three coaches, Sullivan’s track record suggests he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
From my vantage point, it’s not disrespectful for the Rangers to slow-walk extension talks. It’s prudent. And it’s equally fair for Panarin to take his time. The two sides should pursue winning, while simultaneously evaluating if they want to renew their vows.
THE FLORIDA PANTHERS OFFICIALLY BROKE UP THE RANGERS
13 months later, only 11 of the top 26 players remain from the New York Rangers’ 2023-24 Eastern Conference Finals roster:
Forwards
Panarin-Trocheck-Lafreniere
Kreider–Zibanejad–Roslovic
Cuylle–Wennberg–Kakko
Vesey–Goodrow–Rempe
Brodzinski–Chytil–Wheeler
Defensemen
Miller–Trouba
Lindgren–Fox
Gustafsson–Schneider
Jones–Ruhwedel
Goaltenders
Shesterkin-Quick–Domingue
Did Drury fix what the Panthers broke?
See you in September.
