By Greg Caggiano
In three Olympic games so far this tournament, Rangers captain and Team USA stalwart Chris Drury has tallied two goals and an assist, averaging a point per game. He has played and killed penalties with an energy and fire Ranger fans have not seen from him in what is his third year of a five year contract. No one doubts his determination, hard work, and defensive ability, but unfortunately, the annual $7.050 million sum his he paid to score fifty points has worn thin with the fan base and has left the team handicapped within the salary cap restrictions. This was alleviated slightly with the departure of Scott Gomez this off-season, but it's still there.
When looking at Drury's contract, it appears to be un-tradeable; one of the highest paid centers who has the offensive ability of a third liner. Drury himself has even found a majority of his playing time this season on the fourth line, making him the most expensive bottom six forward in the league. Why would anyone want to take a chance on this overpaid underachiever, especially one who lacks vocal leadership abilities? That is where these Olympics come in.
Drury looks like a completely different player in this three games and has left most of us asking, "Why can't he do that in the regular season?" The answer is unbeknownst to me, especially because he goes through his annual disappearing act at the beginning and end of every season but still ending up with average numbers of more than twenty goals and fifty points. The Rangers will be going nowhere with him as captain and it would be for the good of the franchise if he could be traded.
He has a full no trade clause, but let's think for a second that the Rangers found a team that he would be willing to waive it for. Would that said team be willing to take a chance on him? A team that is looking to do damage in the playoffs and one that needs a veteran who has "been there, done that" may be enticed by Drury, who always seems to come through in the clutch. He has played in the Stanley Cup Finals and won a Cup, and he has thrived in Olympic hockey, perhaps the greatest stage in the world.
His trade value, if he even had any before this Olympiad started, has just skyrocketed, because he is showing that he is not washed up any more, that he still has enough gas left in the tank. What team could be willing to take him back? The Colorado Avalanche come to mind, because of the success they are having and their lack of veterans. They have enough cap space available to accommodate him and Drury actually played well when he was there in 2001, the last time the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup. It could be a very good fit for them all around, and leave everyone feeling happy.
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