Rangers GM Chris Drury ready to ‘let the dust settle’ after trading his captain
Don’t expect the New York Rangers to keep wheeling and dealing in the next few days after trading captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a fourth-round draft pick on Friday.
However, that doesn’t mean they’re done making moves, general manager Chris Drury told reporters Saturday.
“We certainly are not opposed to making more changes,” Drury explained. “But big picture, with that said, the team’s been through a lot the last couple weeks, and certainly this week. We’d like to let the dust settle a little bit.”
Drury, who is in Providence this weekend scouting 2022 fourth-round pick Noah Laba, a junior at Colorado College, wants to see how his team adjusts to the departure of Trouba — and if rookie Victor Mancini can fill at least some of the void on the blue line.
Additionally, with recent additions like Vaakanainen on defense and Brett Berard up front, Drury may take some time to see how his team adjusts and if it the moves will help the Rangers get out of their 2-6-0 slump.
But with significant extra salary-cap space after trading Trouba and his $8 million AAV through next season for a defenseman who makes $1.1 million, Drury likely will look to add a significant piece at some point before the NHL Trade Deadline in March. That could be another defenseman or perhaps a top-six forward. But it feels like a significant move is all but sure to happen.
Related: What’s next for Rangers after Jacob Trouba trade
Rangers GM focuses on moving forward
Drury also made no apologies for how the Trouba trade went down, as well as addressing the waiving of Barclay Goodrow over the summer. Goodrow, like Trouba, had no-trade protection in his contract and would not agree to be dealt; instead, the Rangers put him on waivers in June and he was claimed by the San Jose Sharks — a move he was less than pleased with.
“It’s my job, and 31 other GMs’ jobs, to try and do everything we can to help our team,” Drury said. “There’s things at our disposal in the (collective bargaining agreement). I’m not trying to mess with players.”
Drury reiterated that he has the utmost respect for both Trouba and Goodrow, but maintained it was all business in each case, nothing personal. The GM did not comment on Trouba’s comments about how he was displeased that his trade situation became so public and his frustration regarding the entire situation over the summer and during the past week.
However, when it comes to the timing surrounding the Trouba trade and the signing of goaltender Igor Shesterkin to a massive contract extension Saturday, Drury said that it was all coincidence.
“They just kind of happened to come together at the same time, in the same week. There was no effort to have it done together or have us move on from Jacob, and then now we could sign ‘Shesty,'” he explained.
News broke Friday afternoon that the 28-year-old goalie had agreed to an eight-year $92 million extension, although the deal wasn’t finalized or announced until Saturday — and the Rangers didn’t disclose financial terms.
With Friday’s win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, the future looks momentarily brighter for the Blueshirts; however, it’s obvious that there’s still work to be done. With home games against the Seattle Kraken on Sunday afternoon and the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night, the Rangers have a chance to pick up points against teams they are expected to beat, but they’re still looking up at three teams in the race for first place in the Metropolitan Division.
While the craziness of Friday is still at the forefront of people’s minds, it seems that Drury is going to take a little time before making any more moves. But if the Rangers continue playing poorly, the GM might push up his timeline to make more moves in hopes of reviving their season.
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