Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Chris Drury finally dropped a shoe and – while he was at it – dropped two Rangers.
On the rebound he got a retread defenseman, an Iffy forward prospect. PLUS a couple of draft picks.
TOTAL MAVEN REACTION: Feh and Eh!
Calvin de Hann – once a noble and useful Islander – moves to Manhattan after being listed as Colorado's seventh defenseman. At best, he's a maybe add.
The other guy, Juuso Parssinen, gets to Seventh Avenue after being on two other teams – they liked him so much – which leaves us with the Draft picks.
For Rangers sentimentalists, the parting of battered-but-game defenseman Ryan Lindgren and all-purpose forward Jimmy Vesey is sweet sorrow.
Lindgren became the Blueshirts favorite used car, beat-up but still running but for how long, who knows?
Vesey did nothing wrong. Management decided it could go younger and cheaper on the fourth line and so, for the second time in his career, the former Hobey Baker Award-winner goes bye-bye.
For further insights, my super scout Jess Rubenstein offers these:
"The Draft picks hold the most value for the front office. The second-rounder compensates for the one that was traded to Utah in 2022. In other words, the Rangers were paying to get back their own Draft pick."
(Rangers Draft Picks: First Round=0; Second=1; Third=1; Fourth=2; Fifth=1; Sixth=2; Seventh=1)
So, what is Drury planning next with the Trade Deadline almost upon us?
Rubenstein: "The question is this: are the Rangers starting a 'Sell-Off' or just moving pieces? Drury has enough Cap space ($16,062,116) to add a top salary."
The Maven's question: Should management build by acquiring a major star or concede that this botched-up roster doesn't have the goods to gain a wild card berth?
The Maven's answer: By all means shoot for a Playoff berth; it's still do-able.
P.S. Just a guess 'cause I didn't check with the "Insiders' Insider," Sir Elliotte Friedman, but I figure ever-hurt Chris Kreider is next to go.