Signing Vincent Trocheck is Chris Drury’s best move yet as Rangers GM

Of all the changes New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury has made since taking office in May 2021, Vincent Trocheck, who turned 31 on Thursday, was his best gift to the team.

After signing Trocheck to a seven-year deal with an average annual value of $5.625 million, the team wondered if they were giving too much money or too much time to a player who, at the time, was struggling to consistently reach the 50-point mark due to injuries and other factors.

Since then, Trocheck has been one of New York’s best and most reliable forwards. In his first season as a Blueshirt, Trocheck played all 82 games and scored 64 points (22 goals, 42 assists). Last season, he played all 82 games and scored a career-high 77 points (25 goals, 52 assists). He also scored 9 goals and 12 assists in 23 playoff games as a Ranger. In this recent playoff run, Trocheck has clearly been New York’s best and most consistent player.

Trocheck found the perfect fit for what is by far the best line in New York and arguably one of the best lines in the NHL. The trio, which included centers Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere, often led the Rangers to victories and consistently delivered excellent performances all season long.

Looking back at some of Drury’s previous signings as Rangers GM, this one is a high point on a list that includes some big successes, like extending Adam Fox’s contract or signing Copp and Vatrano in 2023. But it’s also high on a list that includes some big flops, like signing Pavel Buchnevich or signing Barclay Goodrow.

Related: The Adam Fox factor in the Rangers’ contract negotiations with the RFA defender

Trocheck does everything for the New York Rangers

In addition to increasing his offensive production for New York, Trocheck is contributing in other ways as well. He is a great addition to the power play and penalty kill units. He contributed to a power play that was third-best in the league with a 26.4 percent shooting percentage and a penalty kill that was third-best in the league with a 84.5 percent kill rate.

In addition, Trocheck was one of the league’s best faceoff players last season, with a 58.7 percent win rate, good for sixth in the NHL. Among players who took over 1,000 faceoffs, Trocheck was second, behind John Tavares of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In addition to his exceptional work on the ice, Trocheck has quickly taken on a leadership role in the Rangers locker room, with many even calling for him to become the Rangers’ next captain should Jacob Trouba be traded away.

Trocheck’s leadership qualities have been particularly evident in the playoffs this season, highlighted by his goal in the second overtime of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round as he addressed the Garden crowd to celebrate the win. He was even the recipient of this year’s Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award, given to the Ranger who “goes above and beyond the call of duty.”

In just two seasons, Trocheck has proven he can consistently play at a high level for the Rangers, and his contract looks like a bargain for Drury. While Trocheck is celebrating his 31st birthday, it’s Drury who has given New York the best gift in the man from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.