The New York Rangers are doubling down on Chris Drury, announcing a multi-year extension for their general manager who’s been steering the ship since 2020.
MSG Sports boss James Dolan backed his GM with strong words: “Chris has shown passion for the Rangers, relentless work ethic, and a tireless pursuit of excellence.”
But Dolan didn’t sugar-coat last season’s disappointment. The Rangers, despite winning the President’s Trophy for the league’s best regular-season record, fell short in the playoffs again.
It’s been a mixed bag under Drury’s leadership.
The bright spots? Two trips to the Eastern Conference Finals in three years. That’s pretty impressive for any NHL team.
He’s also shown a good eye for young talent. His best draft pick might be Gabriel Perreault, snagged at No. 23 in the draft. After lighting it up at Boston College, Perreault looks like he could be a star in the making.
But not everything’s gone smoothly.
Some of Drury’s trades have left Rangers fans scratching their heads. Dealing away Pavel Buchnevich and Nils Lundkvist without getting much in return? Those moves still sting.
He’s had better luck with big-name acquisitions, though. Landing Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko showed he’s not afraid to swing for the fences.
When it comes to contracts, it’s been hit-or-miss. While some deals like Barclay Goodrow’s look a bit expensive now, locking up stars Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox long-term were master strokes.
Here’s the thing about running an Original Six team like the Rangers: good isn’t good enough.
It’s been 31 years since the Stanley Cup called Madison Square Garden home. For Rangers fans, that’s about 31 years too long.
Sure, Drury’s got his new contract. But in New York, the pressure never really goes away.
