What to make of the Jacob Trouba trade and Igor Shesterkin contract.

This is what to make of the Rangers following the GM Chris Drury's one-two punch – in chronological order:

EXIT TROUBA: Drury got even with the defenseman who hung him out to dry last summer when Jacob Trouba refused to accept a trade to Detroit.

Drury couldn't put up with Trouba's inept defending. In the end, the GM decided to do what's best for his franchise.

With each game, Jake became a bigger wart on the Rangers roster. The defender either had to accept the trade or enjoy beautiful Downtown Hartford. Wisely, he chose California as we hum a few bars of "So Long It's Been Good To Know You.

FINANCING SHESTERKIN: In this case, Greed triumphed. Although Igor is NOT the NHL's best goalie, he demanded to be the highest paid. So what it came down to was whether America's wealthiest hockey team was willing to knuckle under and pay the man.

For a while it appeared as if Drury would hold the fort and that Igor would wait out the season and become a free agent next summer. But he must have figured that if The Garden was willing to cave and give him an absolutely insane eight-year deal, why not? (Iggy will be lucky if he lasts four years in Manhattan.)

Based on Shesty's mediocre play going into last night's win over a Pitt team that never makes the playoffs, Igor deserved a pay cut. But the fabulous eight-year deal may turn out to be worthwhile only if he delivers a Cup triumph.