Chris Drury will be President & GM of NYR

[NYR Fan]

As news hit the wire that Torts was unlikely to return, other rumblings started to surface he was not retiring. The next logical question is this, where will he land?

There’s three legitimate options and quite possibly more if the Flyers decide to let go of Alain Vigneault. At the moment, here are the top three destinations in order:

• New York Rangers
• Buffalo Sabres
• Seattle Kraken

Seattle is certainly interesting and Torts would be a great coach to set the foundation for a new franchise. His in your face style can wear on players after awhile, but there is no one better in establishing a winning culture. That’s why the Buffalo Sabres, who desperately need to change theirs would be another top landing spot.

The question to Torts is this, do you want to coach a brand new franchise or another that has been in disarray as your next stop. At his age, I am going to assume he’s looking for a situation to win a Stanley Cup and that’s why I believe his preference would be a return to New York.

For the record, I am hearing the feeling is mutual.

 

[NYR Fan]

Good points from Brooks:

This summer is about the next step and looking forward. Drury has a mandate to transform the collection of assets he inherited from the previous regime into a more finished product capable of making the playoffs and contending for the Cup. Too soon? I don’t think so. I also think that it is time and that is why I did not go into hysterics upon learning of the front office changes. I think the hierarchy set the bar too low for the 2020-21 season and was in danger of doing so for next season, as well, and that is the essence of why John Davidson and Jeff Gorton were dismissed.

 

[NYR Fan]

There is a queue of experienced coaches — a couple with Stanley Cups on their coaching resumes, a couple with Cups won as a player—forming to succeed Quinn even while he is still in place. Tortorella is available for reunion, Mike Babcock is out there looking for a way back in, Rick Tocchet will be on the market, Gerard Gallant is seeking a job and so is Bruce Boudreau.

And never forget that Drury played the first four years of his career in Colorado with Patrick Roy, currently the GM-coach of Quebec in the QMJHL and who might have a special affinity for Alexis Lafreniere.

 

[panzerporter]

I think Brooks is spot on, I expected the Rangers to make the playoffs too and the personnel JD/Gorton settled for didn't get it done. I had thought Quinn would be gone by now, there's no reason to wait. Why do I want Quinn to stay? Could it be the howling volumes of protest from the FQK's?

 

[kreidertime]

Gorton had a chance to steal Bennett for two years and he was an incompetent idiot and now he’ll never get him. He could’ve sold high on DeAngelo knowing what he had on the right side and he didn’t do that. There were a ton of moves he could’ve made and he didn’t. He should have dumped Howden last year. He is not aggressive enough. A good gm would sell high on Strome this off-season and go after one of those two centers I mentioned

 

[NYR Fan]

Awesome post. He could have sold high on DeAngelo (as if you know). A good GM would sell high on Strome and go after the centers I mentioned. You don't know if any of that is true or possible, and you state it like fact.

I don't know what we would base expecting the Rangers to be a playoff team on. No camp, youngest team in the NHL with kids all over the lineup, best division in hockey this year, no cap space at all last summer to add players, 3 years removed from a self-proclaimed reboot, and over 13 mill in dead cap money. That doesn't seem like a playoff recipe to me. And on the plus side they finished ahead of the Flyers, one of the division favorites.

With that said, I do think Brooks has merit to what he says, as do you panzer. I think they could have been better this season, and I think Gorton could have been more creative/aggressive last summer to improve the team this season. I don't think that is a crazy POV.

At days end I think they needed one more season to grow the kids, get them NHL experience, and get out from under the terrible contracts, and dead cap space, but it is fair to have expected Gorton to be a bit more aggressive into this season. I don't think he deserved to be fired for what he did, but it is a reasonable POV he should have done more.

 

[Ranger71]

The only way i would've thought they had a solid chance at the playoffs this year was if they had the WC setup in the EC. Otherwise it was going to be tough to beat out the 4 teams in our division with the experience level and holes in certain spots. Panarin missing time and Z off to a poor start didn't help but I'm not sure they make it regardless. In some ways they overachieved.

 

[NYR Fan]

You want one big thing for the new coach to focus on, getting the most out of Kreider. 11 goals in 44 games outside of his hot nine goals in six games stretch. Also 11 of his 20 goals were on the PP. Just a terrible season by Kreider, he was invisible for all but 9 or 10 games. The new coach needs to get him back to his streaking down the wing and attacking the net hard ways, not just standing in front for tip ins and rebounds. Not for 6.5 mill per.


Kreider, sidelined for the final six games with lower-back issues, had the worst statistical year of his career since bouncing between New York and Hartford in his 2012-13 rookie season.

The winger did score 20 goals to tie Pavel Buchnevich for second on the club behind Mika Zibanejad’s 24, but nine of his goals came in a six-game stretch from Feb. 20 through March 4 that included a pair of hat tricks. Kreider thus scored 11 goals in the other 44 games.

Beyond that, Kreider’s five-on-five points per 60:00 decreased from 2.47 last season to 1.42, the lowest since 2012-13. His shots per 60:00 of 5.29 were markedly down from last year’s 8.2.

 

[NYR2009]

NYR fan, you don't think Gorton messed up with D'Angelo? He had a chance to trade him this summer, he didn't. He had insider information on who D'Angelo is, his troubles and other factors. They simply couldn't handle him and failed with the situation. Where is the accountability from management? I am not sure why you always give Gorton/Quinn a pass?

Here is the example, we had Sean Avery who is loose cannon. It is not easy to manage Sean Avery, but Torts along with Sather did. Dallas couldn't handle him, only NY Rangers could at the time. It seems like D'Angelo is easier than Sean Avery, judging from the side and Gorton/Quinn couldn't handle him to the point where he probably will be bought out, unless Drury will give him a second chance, which is not a bad idea. Just think about it, one of the best PP QBs from a year ago in the NHL wasn't even picked up by waivers.

As far I understand, Gorton wasn't fired because of this season but vision for next season. Gorton wanted another year of collecting picks and Dolan thinks it is enough. That is where the disconnect was. I think if Gorton agreed to start shuffling picks around and trading for needed roles, looks like Gorton still would be here. JD wouldn't get onboard with Dolan and was fired too. I don't think Dolan wanted to fire JD, but if you don't do what the boss says, you get canned. Dolan is an owner after all, and he pays the bills. I am sure Wilson's situation and team being soft was another difference in philosophy between Dolan and Gorton. It is clear that Gorton doesn't believe in getting few thugs to protect the kids, Gorton's actions proves that philosophy.

I know many feel bad for Gorton/JD, but it is what it is. We all work and do what our boss tells us. It is okay to disagree sometimes, but ultimately the boss makes decision. How is this different?

Also, we have enough picks to fill in the needed roles. The most difficult is the 2C, but it can be done.

Drury gave interview during last pregame, and he said it best. We need to fill roles at this point. If we have players for the roles, then we keep them, if the player wants to stay in the role offered, then we keep him, if not then we trade him for someone who can fill this role. Example, Krieder, who fits on 3rd line LW given that we have LFA and Panarin at LW in front of him, if he wants the job, he got it, if not then he has to be traded.

So far I am liking what Drury is saying.

 

[panzerporter]

I think Tony's got a bad rep which may be deserved coupled with the 3 teams that have already had him leaves few options. Strome's contract makes him attractive especially with all the pieces CD has available to trade. They have a glut of dmen, need to make moves.

 

[NYR Fan]

My take on the DeAngelo is we can speculate that Gorton could have gotten a good return for him last summer, but we don't know for sure. When Gorton tried to trade him in season after the incident, I think it is clear the offers weren't there without us eating a good portion of his cap hit, or taking back a bad contract. So maybe the offers were not there last summer given DeAngelo's past (unless the incident destroyed his trade value - which is certainly possible).

But even with that said, Gorton took the gamble and bet on another strong season from DeAngelo to raise his trade value even more, and he lost. That is very fair to say, and absolutely on Gorton. I hold Gorton accountable, and this goes into the miss column. Should have dealt him last summer, even if the return was just good considering how it played out. Now I do not think in any way Gorton deserved to be fired because he held onto DeAngelo and bet on him for one more season and lost, but he deserves to be held accountable for what was a poor decision.

I also think despite having no cap space and a boatload of dead cap money, Gorton could have/should have done a better job adding toughness. Again he should be held accountable for that, and he owns that. Once again though I don't think it is a you're fired worthy decision.

To me every GM and coach etc. have misses. None are perfect, and Gorton is no different. But in a results business you need to have a good "batting avg." overall to keep your job, and when I look at Gorton's career here his batting average was pretty darn good.

Stealing Lindgren and a 1st for Nash.
Stealing Zib for Brass.
Stealing Strome for Spooner.
Good move to get DeAngelo in the first place.
We have the # 1 rated farm system - thank you Jeff. And before anyone says he doesn't get credit for that and for all the top picks we have made (Miller/Lundqvist/Kravtsov/Schneider trade up/etc.), that is not fair. He was the GM, he gets credit (and knocks), when we draft a bunch of good players.
Stealing Fox.
Signing Panarin.
Solid Hayes trade, that allowed us to make a very good Trouba trade.
And there are more.

So yes I hold Gorton accountable, he 100% had misses - not moving DeAngelo sooner, drafting Andersson, and not adding toughness are a few of them, but he also had a whole heck of a lot of hits, and in 3 years we have gone from the Letter to a team on the cusp of doing very good things starting next season with the right finishing moves this summer.

And BTW, as GM I expect Drury to do well. It is the Pres part that concerns me, and Sather and Dolan in his ear that really concerns me. But if he blocks them out and does his job, I think he'll do real well as GM. Hopefully starting with hiring a proven NHL coach.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

I'll say this...IF Gorton's vision for 2021-2022 was that the Rangers would still not be competing for the Cup and they would be trading assets for draft picks then I would agree it was time to go. Not sure there is any way to know for certain the reasoning behind it. But, not knowing the exact reasons I would not put much faith in Dolan that this was the case.
I think most everyone on the board agrees that regardless of what this year's expectations were, certainly a huge step was expected to be taken in 21-22. They will need to be very aggressive this off-season to bring in a top tier C and some size/toughness. They are loaded with skill players so one or two players that will keep opposing teams in line. My preference would be to not lean on one of the younger guys already in the system for that role out of the gate. Bring in a vet what plays with grit and if the Rangers feel like there is another one in the system (some people have been saying Schneider) let him earn some respect in the league and then turn it on. The last thing I would want to see is a 20 year old kid dropping the gloves with a Wilson or Reaves type player.

 

[Ranger71]

Sounds like JD and Torts could be heading up to Buffalo.

 

[panzerporter]

Great resign of Lindgren, he's a keeper. I agree with you dump, Sean Bennett could have easily been had for a defensive prospect we don't have the room to resign. I'm all for the rebuild, it was necessary and the Rangers caught some luck with the extra #1 but everyone on this board agreed the team was soft and nothing was done. I know he's only played a handful of games but Gettinger seems like a better option than DiGi just on size alone. It still seems unusual that Quinn hasn't been fired yet, makes me wonder if he took his beefs to ownership about the softness, Dave's a former Bruin, he didn't play that way. Hope that CD keeps Buch and moves Mika.

 

[Ranger71]

I think they need to keep Zib if they get Eichel or whoever, or it kind of defeats the purpose of having 2 really good C. No point in a slight upgrade from Zib to Eichel and then still having Strome as the 2C. You deal Strome if needed and find a way to keep both Zib/Eichel going forward. Zib probably won't command more than $9m. It will be tight for sure but it can be done if both Strome/Chytil go and maybe Trouba in another 3y.

 

[panzerporter]

I don't want to commit a penny to a guy who stands there with his stick in his hands while his teammate gets pummeled by a much larger opponent - guess he didn't want to get his hair messed up. Mika's soft and his slow start killed the Rangers season, there's no limit on centers the Rangers can sign/trade for. I'm hoping a few of the youngsters can be developed at center too.

 

[Ranger71]

Please. Then don't expect any Stanley Cup parades in Manhattan for a long time. Guy battled Covid early on and finished great and you're upset because he may not have jumped into a scrum?

 

[mrmel29]

If eichel needs neck surgery and sounds like he does than a hard pass from me giving up a lot of assets for him. Let some other team take the gamble. Use the assets to get one of the other good young centers out there

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Talking about trading Zibanejad? Uhhh, ok, let's tread water! He is a just below the Elite level of centers in the league and for sure he is better than any of the centers that are going to be available through trade.
He is a proven commodity and if you'd rather hope that one of the kids in the system can develop at center then you are way more patient than it seems the Rangers are at the moment.
If it comes down to the Rangers only being able to keep Buchnevich or Zibanejad, you keep Zibanejad and there is no question about it. As much as I like Buchnevich after seeing him progress this season players like him are way more common than Zibanejad. I am optimistic they can keep both though. They play very well together.

 

[NYR Fan]

Agreed - have to keep Zib over Buch. Personally to me I kind of think Buch has to go. I just don't see how we can pay him 5.5 mill +/- over multiple years. He is another skilled finesse winger, and we have so many of those, we have to start somewhere adding grit and toughness, and starting with Buch and saving 5.5 mill is a good approach. Plus I think he'll have good value, and as much as I like Buch, he is the king of the over passing.

As for Zib, I would come out of the gate offering 8 mill or so over 5-years and see where he is at. I can't pay him 10 mill per. I really draw the line in the 8 mill range +/- over 5-years and see if he bites.

To panzer's point, you could deal Zib, and then add two C's, but that is a lot of work to do, and your best bet is add a C to pair with Zib and away we go. Remove Buch and Strome from the equation and there is your cap space (plus saving 4.4 mill on DeAngelo).

 

[NYR Fan]

Chris Drury should not waste any time and make it known early that the team will be going in a different direction. That decision could come as soon as today I am told.

As to who the Rangers would get to replace Quinn, don’t expect another young or inexperienced coach. Don’t expect an up and comer either. That rules out Rick Tocchet who hasn’t won anywhere he’s been in his short career. Expect a proven winner with an NHL track record and likely a Stanley Cup on their resume.

There’s plenty of names available and the list is growing. John Tortorella seems to have the inside track. Claude Julien is a name I hear more and more. Bruce Boudreau is being bandied about as well. If David Quinn is let go today, this is Drury’s starting point of candidates to interview.

This offseason will be busy on a number of fronts. Major roster decisions need to be made, and the man behind the bench you want to make the playoffs needs input too.

 

[NYR Fan]

I really have no interest in Boudreau. His teams underachieved in the playoffs year after year. I wouldn't mind Julien. And until it isn't Torts I think he has a shot due to the Dolan love, and Drury relationship.

 

[NYR Fan]

This morning it was reported a decision on David Quinn was expected to come today. Early this afternoon, top hockey insider Elliotte Friedman said that a decision isn’t likely to come today but this week.