Chris Drury talks Rangers offseason plans to improve; pick 15 in play, and Barclay Goodrow
The New York Rangers President and GM, Chris Drury met with the media to do his pre-draft press conference. He discussed a number of topics, primarily about his intention to continue to assess the lineup and improve.
At the end of the season, he made one thing absolutely clear – he wants the Rangers to be harder to play against.
“It’s hard not to watch these playoffs and notice the physicality, the energy, the effort and the intensity it takes to win and to succeed,” he said. “You know we all want harder players to play against and we’re no different.”
This past Saturday, Drury addressed that issue by sending a 7th round pick in 2022 to acquire the rights to forward, Barclay Goodrow.
Drury on Goodrow: “He’s a guy that we targeted”
“He’s a guy that we targeted and obviously went out and made a deal with Tampa early to get a jump on it,” Drury said via NHL.com. “I think he’s pretty versatile. I could see him do all different things for Gerard (Gallant), whether that’s more time in the middle, whether it’s face-offs in the d-zone. But we think he’s got a pretty complete game. He’s going be able to help a lot of different areas.”
By acquiring the 28 year-old Goodrow the Rangers began to reshape their bottom six. The 6-2 forward skated in 55 games with Tampa Bay last season, picking up six goals and 20 points, along with a plus-16 rating and 52 penalty minutes. He also notched six points in 18 playoff games while helping the Lightning win the Stanley Cup for a second straight time.
It was first reported by David Pagnotta and Chris Johnston, that the New York Rangers were making progress on a contract for Barclay Goodrow. Early yesterday, Frank Seravalli stated that once the moratorium is lifted, a 6 year-deal in the range of $3.6 million will be announced.
“We’ve talked,” Chris Drury replied when asked about a Goodrow contract. “We’re making progress but nothing to report now. But I don’t anticipate any issues getting him under contract.”
Drury on the 15th pick overall and offseason objective
The NHL Draft is this Friday. Thanks to the Arizona Coyotes forfeiting pick #11 due a Combine violation the Rangers in essence will be picking 15th. When asked if the he would move the pick, Drury acknowledged that’s a distinct possibility. That confirms our report from June 7th.
“We’re trying to look at different ways to make the team better, and that’s a piece we have,” he said. “If we can make the team better with moving that pick or another pick, or players, we’ll look at everything.”
There were rumblings that Ryan Strome was in play recently. The Ottawa Senators were mentioned as an interested team and they hold the #10 pick in the draft. One school of thought, if the Rangers are closing in on Jack Eichel of the Sabres, would be to get that pick and include it as part of the deal.
Buffalo is said to want two picks in the top 10, meaning the Rangers 15th may be just out of their desired range.
Pavel Buchnevich in play?
There’s also been a lot of rumblings around Pavel Buchnevich. The pending RFA with arbitration rights is reportedly being shopped or at least discussed in trade talks. When asked about the 26 year-old coming off his best season on Broadway, Drury was direct.
“He’s a terrific player,” he said. “We’ll keep trying to figure out what’s best for the group as a whole.”
That comment can be taken many ways, but if he was completely off the table Drury would have said so. It appears Buchnevich is indeed in play.
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