High stakes offseason checklist dictates massive defining summer for Chris Drury

As the New York Rangers enter their first offseason following the official announcement of a retool, there is plenty of business to attend to. While this summer is expected to center around accumulating young assets, it was reported in May by Vince Mercogliano that Chris Drury is also open to making a significant move this summer.

The Rangers front office should be keying in on building this franchise back up the correct way. Below is an offseason checklist that could help the Blueshirts compete now without sacrificing  the future.

Matthew Knies

It was reported by Elliotte Friedman that the Toronto Maple Leafs were minutes away from dealing 23-year-old power forward Matthew Knies to the Montreal Canadiens in a package that included multiple first-round picks and top prospect Alexander Zharovsky.

The report suggests that Toronto is at least open to moving him for the right price. Do the Rangers have the bullets in the chamber to enter the conversation? 

Knies would immediately step into the Rangers’ lineup and project as one of their most impactful forwards. However, the cost would be substantial. The fifth overall pick would almost certainly be part of the conversation, and likely more would need to be added.

The real question is whether the fifth pick will ever become a better player than Matthew Knies. It’s a gamble, but one worth thinking about. 

It would be irresponsible for Drury not to at least inquire. Knies is a young, NHL-proven power forward who has already made significant strides at the highest level, producing offensively while bringing a heavy, physical style. The Rangers should not overpay, but he is absolutely an intriguing option worth exploring.

Monitor Vegas Closely

The Vegas Golden Knights fell short of capturing their second Stanley Cup in franchise history and now stare down an offseason with a number of crucial decisions to make. 

They have several key free agents to re-sign, and reports suggest there is already a handshake agreement in place with pending UFA defenseman Rasmus Andersson in the range of $8 million annually. Given what Vegas gave up to acquire the Swedish defenseman, it’s hard to imagine him walking away, even considering his turbulent playoff performance. 

With an already tight cap situation, they also have to find a way to re-sign emerging star Pavel Dorofeyev following back-to-back 30-goal seasons. He is widely viewed as an offer-sheet candidate, with the Rangers mentioned as a potential suitor. It’s hard to imagine Dorofeyev helping this current New York roster get to where it needs to be, though

Kelly McCrimmon will likely prioritize retaining Dorofeyev or matching any offer sheet that comes his way, putting an even bigger strain on Vegas.

There is also expectation that the Golden Knights will attempt to move goaltender Adin Hill after Carter Hart has seemingly cemented himself as the starter. However, moving a $6.25 million contract that runs through 2031 will not be easy, particularly without draft picks being attached as an incentive to take on the contract. 

If Vegas is forced into further cap maneuvering, forward Ivan Barbashev could emerge as a potential trade candidate. Moving him would not be straightforward with his limited no-trade clause, but he could make sense for a Rangers team looking to add NHL talent.

Barbashev has two years remaining on his deal and brings playoff experience, physicality, and secondary scoring. From New York’s perspective, he could help stabilize the middle-six in the short term, and if the season sputters, he could also become a valuable trade chip at the deadline.

For Vegas, the deal would provide cap flexibility, while the Rangers could potentially attach mid-round picks to help replenish the organization’s thin draft capital, as the Golden Knights only own four selections this year.

Proposed framework: Third-round pick (92) and Fifth-round pick (131) to Vegas in exchange for Ivan Barbashev 

Trade Vincent Trocheck

The longer this situation lingers, the more complicated it becomes. The Rangers were expected to move Vincent Trocheck back in March, but ultimately held onto him. That decision places pressure on the front office to determine his future this summer.

Trocheck still has plenty of game left and can contribute as a second- or third-line center on a contending team. However, Drury cannot risk letting the situation drag out, especially considering the Jacob Trouba saga that crushed the locker room. 

As Mercogliano noted, a trade is expected to materialize this offseason, and Drury’s asking price remains high.

At some point, he may need to settle for a more modest return than originally anticipated.

Proposed framework: Vincent Trocheck to Boston in exchange for second-round pick, Mason Lohrei and Matt Poitras

Draft and Develop

Ultimately, drafting and developing remains the most important part of this offseason and beyond. A lack of consistency in both areas is a major reason the Rangers find themselves in this position today.

With multiple first-round selections, the Rangers have a real opportunity to accelerate the franchise's trajectory by injecting high-end young talent into the system.

Beyond the draft itself, the organization has taken steps to improve its development pipeline, including parting ways with former Director of Player Development Jed Ortmeyer and hiring Jay Leach to coach Hartford. Those are encouraging moves, but the organization still needs a clear long-term plan to ensure that their investments become NHL regulars.

There is a lot of work ahead, and it remains unclear exactly how aggressive Drury will be this offseason. However, if handled correctly, these decisions can help the Rangers stay competitive now while building toward a stronger future.

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