Here's why Chris Drury will be with the Rangers for years to come.
There are a few "Hot Seats" around for general managers who fail but none in the New York Metropolitan Area.
Author Michael Ostrower has a piece in which he states that Los Angeles Kings general manager Rob Blake "is on the hottest seat of any NHL GM."
And The Maven agrees wholeheartedly.
But Ostrower's story got me thinking about the Rangers recent shenanigans – "The Jacob Trouba Comedy Show" for one – and how they affect Chris Drury.
My conclusion is that the Blueshirts hockey boss is good for at least four more years at the helm and here are the reasons.
1. Whether Trouba is traded or not, the defense will not suffer.
2. If Jake The Rake plays, he'll be the sixth defenseman and no worse. No sweat even if he's seventh or eighth. So what?
3. If he's dealt, the New Yorkers will get something in return and the chances are good that what they get will be better than what they have.
4. The Kaapo Kakko soap opera will follow a similar pattern to Trouba's except that – for sure – Drury will get some offensive value if KK is traded.
5. If Kakko stays, he just might bloom the way Big Al Lafreniere did this past season.
6. Young talent in the Rangers system is very promising. At least one – maybe two – ex-draftees will make the big club next fall.
7. Ownership knows that finishing second out of thirty-two teams is a tribute to Drury's general staff.
8. MSG suits also realize that Shesterkin will remain a Ranger because he's one of the best goalies in captivity and that's half the battle.
9. The Rangers are the richest team in the league and will find ways to retain a winner.
10. Drury is a smart cookie who'll figure out how to keep his gig!
