Rangers agree to multi-year extension with GM Drury
The New York Rangers agreed to a multi-year contract extension with president and general manager Chris Drury, the team announced Wednesday.
The Rangers endured a tumultuous 2024-25 campaign, finishing fifth in the Metropolitan Division with a 39-36-7 record and missing the playoffs by six points.
"I am pleased that Chris will continue to lead the Rangers' hockey operations in his role as president and general manager," MSG Sports CEO James L. Dolan wrote in a statement. "Over his tenure, Chris has shown passion for the Rangers, relentless work ethic, and a tireless pursuit of excellence.
"While we are all disappointed in what transpired this past season, I am confident in his ability to guide this organization to success."
Reports emerged in December that a rift developed between the players and the Rangers' front office due to decisions Drury made before and during the season.
Among the points of contention was New York's move to waive Barclay Goodrow last summer. The San Jose Sharks claimed Goodrow despite reportedly being on his 15-team no-trade list, allowing the Rangers to shed the remaining three years of the veteran forward's contract, which carried a cap hit of around $3.64 million.
New York then traded captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks in early December. The defenseman revealed that the Rangers discussed putting him on waivers as a "threat" to pressure him into facilitating a trade, adding that his exit from the Big Apple "could have been handled better."
Drury also reportedly sent a message to other NHL teams in November indicating that he'd be open for a trade, specifically mentioning Trouba and longtime Rangers forward Chris Kreider.
New York made a big splash in late January by acquiring star J.T. Miller from the Vancouver Canucks, but it wasn't enough to get the Rangers into the postseason. The club was largely done in by a 4-15 run in November and December.
The rough campaign came just a year after the Rangers won the Presidents' Trophy as the league's top regular-season team with a franchise-best 55 wins and 114 points. They went on to make the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in the past three seasons, though the Florida Panthers bounced them in six games.
Drury has been New York's general manager since May 2021, with the team amassing a 193-105-30 record during his tenure.
"I am honored to sign this contract extension and continue in this position with the team I grew up supporting," Drury said. "As I said when I began in this role nearly four years ago, there isn't a more special organization in hockey, and I look forward to continuing our work this offseason to help us reach our goals for next season and in the coming years."
The Rangers head into next season with $9.672 million in cap space and several key restricted free agents on their hands, such as rearguard K'Andre Miller and forward Will Cuylle, per PuckPedia.
New York fired head coach Peter Laviolette on Saturday.