Even with his recent contract extension, Chris Drury’s job is in jeopardy if his offseason plans don’t work out.

The New York Rangers’ offseason in 2025 has been nothing short of tumultuous, marked by bold moves and significant changes. Despite receiving a multi-year contract extension in April 2025 from owner James Dolan, General Manager Chris Drury finds himself in a precarious position. The “vote of confidence” from ownership after a disappointing 2024-25 season, which saw the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Rangers falter and miss the playoffs, carries an implicit understanding: the time for excuses is over, and results are paramount. If Drury’s aggressive offseason plans fail to translate into tangible success on the ice in the upcoming 2025-26 season, that recently inked extension could quickly become meaningless in the face of fan frustration and ownership impatience.

Drury’s tenure as GM, which began in May 2021, has been a rollercoaster. He was initially tasked with accelerating a “rebuild” that was arguably already past its peak. His first three full seasons saw the Rangers make the playoffs three times, including a trip to the Eastern Conference Final in 2022 and 2024. The 2023-24 season saw them achieve a franchise-record 55 wins and 114 points, clinching the Presidents’ Trophy. Yet, the subsequent playoff collapses, particularly the early exit in 2025 after a regular season where they missed the playoffs entirely (finishing 6 points out of a Wild Card spot), raised serious questions about the team’s ability to perform when it matters most.

The 2024-25 season was widely considered an underachievement, marked by inconsistency, defensive lapses, and a power play that significantly underperformed expectations. The trade of former captain Jacob Trouba in December 2024 and the subsequent firing of head coach Peter Laviolette in April 2025 were direct consequences of this disappointment. These moves, particularly the coaching change, often buy a GM some time, but they also place immense pressure on the new vision and the resultant roster construction.

Drury’s offseason strategy for 2025 is clearly designed to “shake up the roster” and re-energize the team. The most significant move to date, the trade of long-time fan favorite and alternate captain Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks, underscores the radical approach being taken. While Kreider’s departure, alongside the Trouba trade, significantly frees up salary cap space ($6.5 million from Kreider alone), it also means the team loses a proven goal-scorer, a beloved veteran presence, and a consistent net-front threat. This trade, combined with the earlier acquisition of JT Miller (who also has a large contract signed through 2030), highlights Drury’s willingness to make difficult, unpopular decisions in pursuit of a Stanley Cup.

The key elements of Drury’s offseason plan, and where his job security truly lies, revolve around several critical areas:

1. Cap Space Utilization and Free Agency: With the freed-up cap space, the expectation is that Drury will be active in the free agent market. Pro Hockey Rumors suggested the Rangers would be one of the busiest teams this offseason, with a potential target like defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, even if he commands a significant cap hit. The success of any high-profile free agent signings will be scrutinized heavily. Drury needs to find players who fit new head coach Mike Sullivan’s system, bring consistent two-way play, and address perceived weaknesses in the roster, particularly on defense and perhaps a top-six winger.

2. Handling Key RFAs: The Rangers have crucial restricted free agents to sign, most notably defenseman K’Andre Miller and forward Will Cuylle. Miller’s development has reportedly stalled, and his RFA status with arbitration rights makes his situation complex. If Drury can’t secure Miller on a team-friendly deal or if he trades him, he’ll need to find a suitable replacement on the blueline who can eat significant minutes. Cuylle, a physical, emerging power forward, is seen as a “no-brainer” re-signing. How these negotiations play out, and the cap hits associated with them, will impact the team’s overall flexibility.

3. Addressing Core Underperformance: Reports from The Athletic and Blue Line Station suggest that outside of Igor Shesterkin, Adam Fox, and Artemi Panarin, no player is truly “untouchable.” This implies that players like Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafrenière, both under substantial long-term contracts, could be on the trade block if the right deal materializes. Zibanejad’s “noticeable regression” and high cap hit with a no-movement clause present a significant challenge. If Drury can move either of these players without selling low, it would be a major win, allowing for a more significant “mix change” in the dressing room and on the ice. Failing to address these underperforming, highly paid core pieces could exacerbate existing problems.

4. The New Coaching Dynamic: The hiring of Mike Sullivan, known for his demanding style and emphasis on speed and defensive responsibility, is a direct reflection of Drury’s vision for the team. The success of this coaching change is inextricably linked to Drury’s job security. If Sullivan cannot extract better performance from the existing core, and if the new additions don’t immediately contribute to a more cohesive and successful team identity, the spotlight will quickly shift back to the GM who made these pivotal decisions.

5. Draft Pick Dilemma (2025 First-Rounder): The Rangers hold the 12th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, but they have until 48 hours before the draft begins (June 25, 2025) to decide whether to convey that pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins (via the J.T. Miller trade) or retain it and send their 2026 first-rounder instead. This decision has significant implications for future planning and potential offer sheets for rival RFAs. Letting go of the 2026 pick, unprotected, would be a huge gamble if the team underperforms again.

While a multi-year extension might suggest job security, in the cutthroat world of professional sports, particularly under an owner like James Dolan known for his volatility, such extensions often come with an expiration date tied directly to performance. The language in Dolan’s statement confirming Drury’s extension – “While we are all disappointed in what transpired this past season, I am confident in his ability to guide this organization to success”¹ – implies a clear expectation of a turnaround.

If the Rangers miss the playoffs again in 2025-26, or if they suffer another early and underwhelming exit, Drury’s position will become untenable regardless of the contract. Ownership and the fanbase demand a Stanley Cup, especially with a “win-now” core featuring players like Panarin, Shesterkin, Fox, and Trocheck. The current roster, even after the Kreider trade, is still built to compete for championships, and the window for this core is not infinitely wide.

Chris Drury has demonstrated a willingness to be aggressive and make tough decisions. Now, those decisions must bear fruit. The pressure is immense, and every move he makes this offseason will be scrutinized. His job, despite the recent extension, is very much on the line, hinging entirely on whether his ambitious offseason plans can finally deliver the ultimate prize to Broadway.