Chris Drury’s first offseason as Rangers GM in 2021 had hits and misses

When Barclay Goodrow was claimed off waivers by the San Jose Sharks earlier this week, it was a big deal for the New York Rangers.

Not only did this free up $3.6 million in salary cap space for the Rangers over the next three seasons, but Goodrow was also the last remaining piece of the puzzle from Chris Drury’s first offseason as general manager of the Blueshirts.

After several seasons as assistant general manager in the organization, Drury was named president and general manager of the Rangers on May 5, 2021, replacing John Davidson and Jeff Gorton, who were fired by the organization.

Drury took over with two games left in a disappointing 2020–21 season in which the Rangers failed to make the Stanley Cup playoffs in a 56-game shortened regular season and finished fifth in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 27–23–6.

Four days after the end of the season, he fired coach David Quinn and replaced him shortly thereafter with Gerard Gallant. In his first NHL draft in 2021, Drury and the Rangers selected forward Brennan Othmann with the No. 16 pick in the first round. Although the rest of this draft class has not yet been convincing, Othmann could take a starting position with the Rangers in 2024-25.

Inspired by a May 3 incident against the Washington Capitals in which Tom Wilson checked Pavel Buchnevich and threw Artemi Panarin like a rag doll, Drury entered the offseason with the goal of making the team bigger and tougher.

Drury’s key offseason moves included signing defenseman Patrik Nemeth, trading for forward Ryan Reaves and acquiring the RFA rights to Barclay Goodrow to sign him to a six-year, $3.6 million contract before he became a free agent.

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Analysis of Chris Drury’s first offseason as Rangers GM in 2021

Perhaps the most memorable move, unfortunately for Drury, was the trade of Buchnevich, who was set to receive a new RFA contract, to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for forward Sammy Blais and a second-round pick, which Drury later used to sign forward Andrew Copp.

Drury had intense trade talks with the Buffalo Sabres to sign Jack Eichel, but was unwilling to trade Alexis Lafreniere or Kaapo Kakko. The Rangers stood by their offer and Eichel was sent to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Goodrow ended up being the most valuable player from Drury’s first offseason, but now that he’s signed, none of the players signed in the 2021 offseason are still on the roster.

Nemeth’s three-year, $7.5 million contract was a complete bust. He lasted just one season in New York and posted a minus-nine rating. Drury had to contribute a couple of second-round picks the following offseason to trade him to the Arizona Coyotes and get rid of his contract.

The Buchnevich trade is now viewed as a total disaster, although at the time it was believed to be necessary due to New York’s salary cap. Blais played only 54 games with the Blueshirts due to injury, recording nine points without ever scoring a goal. He was eventually sent back to St. Louis midway through the 2022-23 season as part of a package for forward Vladimir Tarasenko and defenseman Niko Mikkola. That worked out much better for New York.

Likewise, the second-round pick in that deal was traded in a package for Copp midway through the 2021-22 season. Copp was outstanding in the postseason and played a big part in the Rangers reaching the Eastern Conference Finals despite falling to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Copp, Tarasenko and Mikkola all left as free agents after half a season in New York, so the Rangers no longer have a connection to Buchnevich, who averaged between 63 and 76 points in his three seasons with the Blues. Not to mention, the Rangers have yet to adequately replace him as a right wing on the first line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.

Reaves’ toughness, personality and skills as a fighter were a welcome addition to a Rangers team that needed more of that in Drury’s first season. Reaves was a popular teammate, but his lack of skill and defensive ability, despite making $1.75 million a year, became a detriment, and he was sent to the Minnesota Wild at the start of the 2022-23 season.

Even his new coach, Gallant, was fired after just two seasons. Although Gallant led the Rangers to two consecutive 100-point seasons and an appearance in the Eastern Conference finals, he fell out of favor with management and the team and left New York in a dispute.

That left Goodrow as the final piece of the puzzle. Overpaid for his role as a fourth-line and shorthanded killer, Goodrow scored 33 and 31 points in his first two seasons in New York, the two highest of his career, and was reliable in the postseason.

While his experience and skill were definitely valuable, it looks like Drury paid too high a price for a bottom-six player. The decision to place Goodrow on waivers and clear his salary cap hit certainly backs that up.

It’s safe to say Drury didn’t have the greatest success when he took over. But he proved his worth before the 2022 trade deadline, making key additions to Copp, Frank Vatrano, Tyler Motte and Justin Braun. Despite some early mishaps, the Rangers reached the Conference Finals in Drury’s first season.

In the midst of his fourth offseason, he’s under pressure as the Blueshirts once again failed to reach the Stanley Cup Final. Drury has become a highly respected GM around the league, but his tenure in New York could depend on how he attacks the next few seasons.