The New York Rangers' retool took it's next huge step when trading away star Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings. Now, Rangers fans are wondering which players could be dealt away next before the March 6 trade deadline. While Vincent Trocheck seems like a likely trade candidate, there are some younger players that have been floated in trade talks: Alexis Lafreniere and Braden Schneider.
Drury was asked during his media scrum on Wednesday night for his assessment for Lafreniere and Schneider, who both had high hopes since they entered the league but haven't exactly panned out and played up to their potential. Drury defended Lafreniere and Schneider, but in the process did raise some eyebrows.
"I still, you know, believe in them as players and as people," said Drury, h/t Mollie Walker of the New York Post. "As I said, I'm not singling them out. I think there's been a number of areas and different spots where we've underachieved this year. I know they're continually working on their individual games, those two individual players, and trying to find ways to be more impactful. They're still young players even though it feels like they've been around for a number of years now, but we're going to continue to work with them. We think they both have bright futures in this league and I know Sully and his staff and me and my management staff are excited to have them here and keep trying to help them reach their potential."
Chris Drury backs Alexis Lafreniere and Braden Schneider, but does leave Rangers fans confused
On the surface, Drury is trying to back Lafreniere and Schneider, saying that he believes in them "as players and as people," and that he and head coach Mike Sullivan "are excited to have them here and keep trying to help them reach their potential." Both have been linked to potential trades, most notably Schneider to the San Jose Sharks but it sounds as though Drury fully intends on keeping both of them. After all, Drury wants to "retool," as he doesn't feel he has a need to "rebuild" to create a Stanley Cup contender.
Yet, there are comments that stand out. Such as bringing up how he's "not singling them out" when disscussing how there were a "number of areas and different spots where we've underachieved this year." Not to mention, bringing up how Lafreniere and Schneider are both young "even though it feels like they've been around for a number of years." Lafreniere has been with the team since the 2020-21 season, while Schneider has been with the team since the 2021-22 season. So that's over five years experience for each of them. Given that, you'd expect both of them to make the next step.
Lafreniere had that one breakout season in 2023-24, posting 57 points (28 goals, 29 assists), but has not lived up to the first-overall selection in 2020. Schneider, meanwhile, has regressed defensively this year, putting up a -14 plus/minus ratio, especially when giving more significant playing time with Adam Fox out with injury.
Sure, Drury is bringing in young players via trades, such as Greentree. But if there is one major issue with the Rangers is that their young prospects as of late rarely develop into significant starters at the pro level. The Rangers truly need to crack down on the issues when it comes to player development, because trades like the ones they made on Wednesday will be all for naught.