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    Stan Fischler
    Stan Fischler
    Feb 12, 2025, 16:48

    What to make of Chris Drury's latest additions and rookies.

    What to make of Chris Drury's latest additions and rookies.

    Let's be fair about Chris Drury.

    He wants his Rangers to win just as much as you do. Right or wrong, he didn't sit on his hands since his club won the Presidents’ Trophy.

    The Maven has six names of players who Drury imported in one way or another since last season. My 18-year-old hockey-playing grandson, Ariel Fischler, and I co-deliver unvarnished opinions of each. See if you agree

    REILLY SMITH: Ariel: "Smith has been doing the same thing as he did in Pitt. He's become a mediocre performer, occasionally coming up with a good forecheck. My two words for him: Nothing Special."

    Maven: "My Pitt reporter told me that Reilly faded away in the second half of last season and the Penguins were happy to see him go. So far, I see him as an improvement on that; I call him an OK addition."

    WILL BORGEN: Ariel: "He's solid on D, but Drury traded Kaapo Kakko to get Borgen. Drury loses because KK is averaging a point a game in Seattle."

    Maven: "Borgen has played fairly well but not well enough to compensate for an exceptionally dumb pass that cost the Rangers a game. Kappo's positive production in Seattle makes the Kraken clear winners. Young Kappo figures to get better. Not so young Borgen won't!"

    URHO VAAKANAINEN: Ariel: "I like his size and physicality. He can be an Impressive force. In some ways he reminds me of Trouba when the Captain was in his prime."

    Maven: "So far, so good and I'll leave it at that."

    ARTHUR KALIYEV: Ariel: "He could be the sleeper of the bunch as a power forward. He packs a good shot, but also needs work. I like his long-term future with the team."

    Maven: "He hasn't shown me enough to make a long-term judgement but what I've seen so far, I like."

    BRETT BERARD: Ariel: "The big surprise is that after all the good things – hustle, fearlessness, smarts – he displayed at The Garden, that he was sent back to Hartford. It still doesn't make sense."

    Maven: "My grandson and I agree."