Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in Arabic
The 2024-25 season may be Chris Drury’s fourth as the president and general manager of the New York Rangers, but it also marks his 14th with the organization in some capacity.
A 32-year-old forward donning the “C” turned into the director of player development, who rose to assistant general manager and eventually earned his shot at the helm of an Original Six franchise in one of the biggest sports markets in the world.
Whether he was shooting the puck himself, developing the organization internally or directly crafting the roster, Drury has spent well over a decade vying to bring the Stanley Cup back to New York.
It is these years as head honcho, however, that Drury will be remembered for.
“It’s been a real good three years,” Drury said on Tuesday in a preseason conference call with reporters. “Obviously, our ultimate goal is to win the Cup. Personally, I’m always trying to find ways to be better at my job and to do things that allow us to compete for the Cup every year. That starts each and every year at training camp.
“Looking forward to having [head coach Peter Laviolette] for a second training camp and hope they have a good camp and another good regular season and give ourselves a chance to get in the playoffs.”
Three straight playoffs, two conference final appearances and a Presidents’ Trophy is good, but it’s no Stanley Cup. A 154-69-23 record is also good, but there is no glory in win percentages.
No one has to tell that to Drury, a champion with the Avalanche in 2001.
Just like no one has to remind him that championship windows close and job security isn’t forever.
“I think it was a real good learning experience for everyone,” Drury said of last year’s conference final loss to the Panthers, the eventual Stanley Cup winners. “Just like it was a couple years ago when we went to the conference finals and played Tampa. Just more things that players have seen and learned, coaches, different ways to win games, different things that are required to win games, to win series.
“Obviously, Florida had a heck of a team and are Stanley Cup champs. I think all of our group, individually and collectively, took a lot of lessons out of that series. I’m sure they’re all looking forward to applying them.”
Drury said he is expecting a healthy roster entering training camp, aside from a couple of projected Wolf Pack players. Ryder Korczak has a lower-body injury after getting a little dinged up during the prospect games this past weekend, while Riley Nash won’t participate in training camp due to a lower-body injury.
Filip Chytil, the player whose health has been a top topic of discussion, is a full go.
“No issues with Fil,” Drury said of the Czech center, who was sidelined for a majority of last season with his fourth documented concussion before struggling to stay in the lineup during the playoffs. “Nothing holding him back, which is great news for everyone.”
With three years remaining on Chytil’s contract, the Rangers need not only a fully healthy season from the 25-year-old, but also an impactful one. That’s because thirteen players currently on the Rangers’ projected 23-man roster are set to become either a restricted free agent or an unrestricted free agent next summer, including notables like Igor Shesterkin and Alexis Lafreniere.
Drury has declined to comment on contract negotiations publicly since he came into power, but the fourth-year GM did say he hopes the aforementioned two players are Rangers for a long time.
Much of how Drury has conducted himself in this role seemingly stems from his experiences as a player.
On a wobbly player like Kaapo Kakko, Drury made sure to mention the lower-body injury that sidelined him for 21 games before ensuring the Finn is looking to prove last year was a fluke.
On a blossoming player like Lafreniere, the 48-year-old heaped praise on the 2020 first-overall pick and alluded to the possibility of more being in store.
And with regards to the Rangers captain, Jacob Trouba, who has been through the wringer this offseason amid trade speculation and a rough 2023-24 season, Drury likely spoke about the situation the way he would’ve wanted it to be discussed when he sported the “C” during his playing career.
“Jacob and I talk all the time, as GM and captain should,” he said. “I would even include Lavi in those conversations. Obviously, being captain, he runs our dressing room and is head of the leadership group. We’ve had a number of different conversations over the course of the summer, on a lot of different things. He is very clear as to where he stands with me and what I think of him as a player and as a leader. I think he’s done a real good job here.
“As a captain, there’s so many moving parts that go in and out of being captain, especially in New York and especially the Rangers captain. Excited to have him back, excited for training camp. I know he had a terrific offseason, training-wise.”
