Vincent Trocheck praises Chris Drury on how he handled trade talks

The New York Rangers were the team to follow at the trade deadline, given they told the entire league they were open to trading away players to help accelerate a roster retool. Their biggest player on the trade block was Vincent Trocheck, who played a position of need at center and had reasonable term left on his contract. Despite being one of the best players available, Trocheck remained on the Rangers past the March 6 trade deadline.

Ahead of the Rangers' game on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils, Trocheck was interviewed by the NHL on TNT crew. When asked about his thoughts about remaining on the Rangers after being floated in trade talks, Trocheck gave praise to general manager Chris Drury for keeping him in the loop with everything during the time of uncertainty.

"Chris [Drury] handled it as good as he could of for a situation like that wherever my name is in the media, trade deadline looming. He talked to me throughout it all," said Trocheck. "He was very open and honest about everything. He kept me in the loop the whole time. He made it a lot easier on me throughout that time."

Vincent Trocheck gives credit to Chris Drury for how he handled trade talks at deadline

This is welcoming news for Rangers fans, considering the reputation that Drury had in recent years when it came to talking with players.

There was the Barclay Goodrow fiasco, where he waived the forward knowing he wouldn't accept a trade to the San Jose Sharks, as they were seemingly on his no-trade list. The Sharks immediately claimed Goodrow off waivers.

Then, there was the Jacob Trouba saga. Even though he was the captain of the team, Drury was set on trading him to another team to free up cap space and give opportunities for younger players. Trouba claimed that the team threatened him to either accept a trade or be subject to waivers. Trouba ultimately accepted a trade to the Anaheim Ducks.

Drury being as ruthless as he was did affect morale on the Rangers. But it seems like he has learned from his past. Let's not forget that he traded defenseman Carson Soucy earlier this year. The defenseman credited Drury for keeping him in the New York area, as he and his wife had just welcomed a baby girl.

And now, Trocheck says Drury has kept him in the loop throughout the trade saga. Ultimately, Drury had a high asking price for Trocheck, and understandably so, but no other team was willing to meet his demands. Trocheck did inform Drury that he would like to remain on the East Coast for his family. So, Trocheck remains with the Rangers for the rest of the season, with the possibility of trade discussions continuing in the offseason.