Why Rangers’ Chris Drury’s decision to drop Barclay Goodrow was cold-blooded

After speaking to multiple sources on Wednesday, the widely held belief is that Barclay Goodrow included the Sharks on his 15-team no-trade list and that GM Chris Drury got around it by placing No. 21 on the waiver list, where San Jose was first to lay claim to the two-time Cup winner.

That was merciless.

And that is exactly what championship organizations do.

After losing the 2022 final following back-to-back Cup championships, the Lightning informed Ryan McDonagh that he would be placed on waivers unless he gave up his full no-transfer clause and accepted a deal with Nashville. McDonagh accepted the deal.

Thirteen years earlier, the Lightning had done the same thing with Dan Boyle, telling the defenseman with a no-transfer clause that if he did not accept a trade to San Jose, he would be placed on waivers and signed by the Atlanta Thrashers.

We’re told that Goodrow’s 15 transfer lists also included teams in less attractive locations and those that aren’t contenders. San Jose would fall into the latter category. But the 31-year-old’s feelings played no role.

Drury and the board concluded that the Rangers needed to clear Goodrow’s $3,641,667 salary cap hit – through 2026-27 – to compete for a championship, so they acted cold-bloodedly.

I want nothing less.

This is a transactional deal. Goodrow was paid well and will continue to be paid well. When he signed his six-year contract in 2021, he was not given a no-transfer clause. He has always been vulnerable to a transfer.

The Rangers struck when they could, creating plenty of space that they will need over the next three seasons as they try to turn 10 playoff wins into 16.

They need to get bigger and faster and better equipped for the Final Four. And if anyone thinks Tyler Toffoli is the answer, I don’t know what the question is.

Several people have told us that Goodrow — who scored six goals in 16 postseason games after scoring four goals in 80 games during the regular season — isn’t happy with how things went down. I don’t think I can blame him.

But it’s not about Goodrow’s feelings. It’s about Drury and the hierarchy not losing sight of the goal. The Rangers couldn’t justify signing a fourth-line player with a salary cap hit of nearly $3.642 million whose penalty kill numbers were significantly worse than the club’s other main killers.

Goodrow did a valuable job in his three seasons. If you think he was disrespected at the end, what did Don Draper say to Peggy Olson? Oh yeah, that’s what the money was for…

Long ago, Ray Ferraro signed a three-year free agent contract with the Rangers that included an option for a fourth year. Then, after 65 games, GM Neil Smith traded Ferraro to the Kings in the ill-fated deal at the 1996 deadline for Jarri Kurri, Marty McSorley and Shane Churla.

I remember people saying that after that kind of thing, no free agent would ever sign with the Rangers again. If only (Dread) Scott Fraser and Val Kamensky had taken that advice. Players signed with the Rangers because it was in their best interest and the best interest of their family.

Because of Goodrow, no one will hesitate to sign with the Blueshirts.

One trophy since 1940. None since 1994.

What are we talking about here?

There is one route and only one route for the Rangers.

If recklessness is a feature of it, then so be it.