Chris Drury imported three capable, experienced reserves who will not upset the good chemistry that I've been raving about for months.
Chris Drury listened to The Maven and now the New York Rangers most surely will win The Stanley Cup.
I warned him, don't go crazy like you did last year, wasting the good chemistry by adding big shots like Patrick Kane and Vlad Tarasenko.
Wisely, the GM knows that the playoffs are a whole other season and the healthiest good team wins The Cup.
What Capable Chris did was import three capable, experienced reserves who will NOT upset the good chemistry that I've been raving about for months.
And especially not a Sidney Crosby!
Forwards Nic Petan and Jack Roslovic -- along with defenseman Chad Ruhwedel -- may not look like much on paper, but who cares?
I watched Petan in person as far back as his days with the Portland Winterhawks. At 28, he's in his prime and will be an asset. Ditto for Ruhwedel and Roslovic.
They are the ready reinforcements needed when someone like Filip Chytil goes down or any other regular roster members get sidelined.
If you don't mind a historic note; Drury did what Conn Smythe did in the 1947 homestretch when he lost a key D-man and an important forward to injuries. Smythe imported two minor leaguers, Sid Smith and Bill Barilko who helped spearhead Toronto to four Cups in five years.
As my erudite pal-editor David Kolb points out, Drury didn't have to overpay for anything and doesn't have an older club "that needs to give it one last shot."
After two months of media yapping about the possible loss of Kaapo Kakko, Double K is still with us and will grow and grow as a player.
There also was talk about maybe dumping the Rangers "Under Achiever Of The Season," Mika Zibanejad.
Nothing doing says Drury, by doing nothing but suspecting that his famed center will be "Mika The Mighty"in the playoffs.
Or, as a scout I know says, "The Rangers are built for several years and there was no reason to sacrifice a player or picks. What's more Chris could pick up a free agent or two during the off-season."
As I've preached for months, no big deal like Kane was necessary because the Blueshirts have the best balanced squad in the league with a nice sprinkling of vets, mucho youth and as good a one-two goalie combo since Charlie Rayner and Sugar Jim Henry.
"I had a lot of confidence in our group going into the deadline," said Drury.
The Maven has news for him; I had a lot of confidence in his group once they took over first place and have maintained that lofty position.
Drury: "They've given me good reason to be confident. It's been a good group to watch and they seem to mesh well together. Credit goes to the players and certainly to Lavi and his staff."
It's nice to know that The Maven and The GM are on the same page, if not the same ice!
I see a Cup on the horizon and a parade up Broadway to City Hall!