Letter to fans: Chris Drury issues a statement on the current state of the New York Rangers franchise
Photo credit: Peter Carr/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
New York Rangers General Manager and President Chris Drury has officially issued a letter to fans regarding the current state of the franchise, while confirming the direction he will take for the organization.
On Friday, Drury issued a letter to fans that confirmed the organization is steering toward a retool, not a full teardown. Along with meeting individually with the leadership group, then addressed the whole room before making the message public.
A Message from Chris Drury to Our Fans
That matters because Rangers fans know what a real rebuild sounds like. In 2018, the team basically told everyone that change was coming, and it meant familiar faces leaving as the club reset its timeline.
This time, the tone is different, even if the warning is still sharp. Drury essentially told fans they may be saying goodbye to players who delivered big moments, and that's the part that lands in your gut.
«This will not be a rebuild. This will be a retool built around our core players and prospects. We will target players that bring tenacity, skill, speed, and a winning pedigree with a focus on obtaining young players, draft picks, and cap space to allow us flexibility moving forward.
That may mean saying goodbye to players that have brought us and our fans great moments over the years.»
That may mean saying goodbye to players that have brought us and our fans great moments over the years.»
Chris Drury defines New York Rangers retool
Personally, I'm glad Drury finally picked a lane, but it also feels like the start of hard but necessary conversations.
The retool framing says the Rangers still believe the foundation is worth building around, especially with Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin as franchise pillars. It's not about starting over, it's about changing the mix and the identity.
A retool can still be painful, because it usually means moving money, moving age, and creating new roles for younger players. The difference is you're trying to stay competitive while you do it, not bottom out and pray for lottery luck.
The Olympic break piece matters too, because it creates a natural checkpoint to decide who fits and who doesn't. If the Rangers are serious about being «active,» the next milestone is the first move that proves the letter wasn't just words.
Also read on NY Hockey Insider :
Major development: New York Rangers provide the latest regarding Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin's injuries
Major development: New York Rangers provide the latest regarding Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin's injuries
Previously on NY Hockey Insider
| POLL | ||
9 HOURS AGO | 80 ANSWERS Letter to fans: Chris Drury issues a statement on the current state of the New York Rangers franchise Do you think Chris Drury is making the right decision as he confirms the New York Rangers will undergo a retool? | ||