Chris Drury out for four weeks
The New York Rangers have lost captain Chris Drury for four weeks after the centre suffered a broken finger during training camp on Monday.
Drury was drafted 72nd overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1994 National Hockey League entry draft. Drury did not play for the organization until after they moved to Colorado and became the Avalanche. Drury spent four seasons with Colorado, having his best
year in 1999-2000 when he tallied 20 goals and 67 points. While in Colorado, Drury made a name for himself as one of the League’s top defensive forwards. The Connecticut native would spend one season in Calgary with the Flames before joining the Buffalo Sabres
for the 2003-04 campaign. Drury spent three seasons with the Sabres posting strong numbers in his final year and earning a massive $7 million contract with the Rangers in 2007.
Drury was set to play first and second line minutes to start the season. However, with the injury the veteran will be forced out of the line-up for at least the first week of the season. The loss of Drury gives Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky a chance to
fight for his roster spot. Moreover, it also gives a youngster at camp a chance to impress and participate in at least the first couple games of the season.
The Rangers struggled on offence last season and were hoping to get more out of Drury in 2010-11. The club will hope that the broken finger does not linger throughout the season and limit the captain’s offensive output.
The injury will give general manager Glen Sather an extra week to try and solve the Rangers salary cap dilemma, which sees them over $4 million above the cap. With Drury’s salary coming off the cap for the first week of the season Sather will have more time
to run through his options.
Last season with the Rangers Drury only managed 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points in 77 games.
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