"We're Energized": Notes From Chris Drury's Media Availability
The Rangers president and GM spoke to the media following a busy start to free agency.
After a successful draft and busy 24 hours of free agency for the New York Rangers, president and general manager Chris Drury addressed the media for the first time since the end of the regular season. According to Colin Stephenson of Newsday, Drury began the press conference by thanking Vincent Trocheck for his time as a New York Ranger.
I should have noted Drury began by thanking Trocheck "for the leadership and professionalism he showed throughout his entire tenure in New York... He earned the respect of me, his teammates, all (the) staff, and fans alike in NY. And we certainly wish him and his family well."
— Colin Stephenson (@ColinSNewsday) July 2, 2026
First off, it appears that morale around the Rangers organization is definitely higher, as Drury described them feeling "energized" with the moves they've made in the last week. He spoke highly of new Rangers Sean Durzi, Marcus Pettersson, and Pavel Dorofeyev, who he referred to as "one of the premier goal scorers" in the league.
Chris Drury called Pavel Dorofeyev "one of the premier goal scorers" in the NHL. He described Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson as top-four defensemen.
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) July 2, 2026
"We're energized with what has transpired in the recent days and the potential of what is in front of us next season."
Drury says the organization is "energized" by the moves they've made in the past week. Said they were "targeting young players in their prime that enhance the skill and speed of the team."#NYR
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) July 2, 2026
More on Dorofeyev:
On Pavel Dorofeyev, Drury said:
— Colin Stephenson (@ColinSNewsday) July 2, 2026
"His unique skill set, and his production, specifically in goals is something that we were in need of, and (we) targeted him, and we're thrilled to be able to pull off a trade with Vegas."
And the defense:
#NYR GM Chris Drury on the defense makeover:
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) July 2, 2026
"It definitely was a priority. I think just the ability to move the puck, to get the puck out of our zone, to get it through the neutral zone, to get it to our forwards in all three zones was a priority. We looked at a lot of…
As far as what's next for Drury and the Rangers, it certainly doesn't sound like this is the end of their offseason efforts, indicating there was still work to be done to improve the team before the start of the season.
Drury: "I’m certainly not going to sit here and say the job is done and complete and move on. We’re still tinkering and looking at any which way we can help the team between now and opening night. We’re going to keep trying."#NYR
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) July 2, 2026
In his Zoom call just now, Rangers GM Chris Drury said after all they've done the last few days...
— Colin Stephenson (@ColinSNewsday) July 2, 2026
"We know that we have a lot of work to do, but we're energized with what has transpired in the recent days and the potential of what is front of us next season...''
Drury was asked about the pressure of making the playoffs this season but reiterated his disdain towards timelines, noting that the goal is to just "get better every single day".
I asked Drury how much pressure he felt to put together a roster that has a chance to make the playoffs this year. He reiterated not wanting to put timelines on anything. "The only timeline I operate on is trying to get better every single day."
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) July 2, 2026
Drury was asked specifically about Braden Schneider's future with the New York Rangers as the 24-year-old defenseman remains a restricted free agent with a qualifying offer of $2.64 million. He went on to speak highly of the player without really getting into any answers about the plan for him moving forward.
#NYR president and GM Chris Drury on Braden Schneider's status: "We think Braden is a really good young talented defenseman. We drafted him, developed him, we like the skill set and what he does for us. I know he, along with us, are just trying to do everything we can to be…
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) July 2, 2026
Have the chances of Braden Schneider sticking around increased?
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) July 2, 2026
Drury: "We think Braden is a really good, young, talented defenseman. Obviously, we drafted him, developed him, we like the skill set and what he does for us. I know he, along with me and us, are just trying to do…
One of the major concerns surrounding the recent trades is Drury's willingness to include future first-round draft picks. When asked about this, Drury explained that he feels the future of this organization is in good hands with some of the young players they've acquired in recent trades, including Cole Beaudoin from the Vincent Trocheck deal.
Why was Drury willing to part with a total of three first-round picks in the past week?
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) July 2, 2026
"My philosophy, and our philosophy was, if they're for the right player or players that are at the right age with the right contract, that can help our lineup — not just in the next year or…
Drury also spoke about the decision to draft Alberts Smits fifth overall and what the future could hold for him with the organization.
#NYR president and GM Chris Drury on No. 5 pick Alberts Šmits:
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) July 2, 2026
"Well, there's not too many kids his age drafted who have played in two different men's pro leagues, Olympics, World Championships. Certainly isn't getting in bigger stages than those events he participated in.…
Drury also noted that Šmits is going home to Latvia for a bit but will return to train in the NY area this summer. #NYR https://t.co/BTAP9Ccs2W
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) July 2, 2026
Drury also spoke to the decision to acquire Joonas Korpisalo from the Boston Bruins.
#NYR GM Chris Drury on the trade for G Joonas Korpisalo:
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) July 2, 2026
"We did look at a lot of different options, a number of different trades, a number of different potential free agent signings. We just felt like his skill set and his experience fit our needs the best out of all those…
A huge thank you to The Athletic's Vince Mercogliano and Peter Baugh, as well as The New York Post's Mollie Walker and Newsday's Colin Stephenson for their instant reporting on the press conference.
