Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy has a thought today (NOTE: NOT A RUMOR) that the Rangers and Sharks should swap captains for a variety of reasons.
Marleau, 30 next season, has one year left at $6.3 million before becoming a UFA. Drury, 33 next season, is signed through 2012 at a robust $7.05 million cap hit.
The deal would make financial sense for the Rangers, jettisoning a contact that — in hindsight — is regrettable, in exchange for a pending UFA. You don’t like losing a character guy like Drury; but Marleau in a John Tortorella system could be a revelation, if the pressure of playing in New York doesn’t crush his soul.
Drury is a player that Wilson’s already pursued before as a general manager. He’s captain material;
he’s a different kind of offensive center than Marleau; and when he’s healthy, he’s been a dependable playoff performer.
Rotter: It’s finals week here so I don’t have much time to ruminate on this but this would be one interesting move to make. While I love the way Drury plays and the little things he does and his leadership are probably invaluable, the Rangers need scoring and Marleau could provide that. It is my thought that Chris Drury or Scott Gomez will be moved in some way, shape or form this summer. San Jose would be interesting for Drury too because rumors during the summer of 07 were that he wanted to sign with a west coast team and his leadership ability could be what San Jose needs to get over the hump.
This is silly. Trade one of the best leaders in the NHL for a guy who cant win and is just as slow and old. Now that nazzy has retired we should sign cammilleri and let the rooks sink or swim. Go Rangers.
SKAPLAN: look at it this way my Ranger brother when healthy Marleau is a superior hockey player to Drury at this juncture of their careers. They are both signed and the fact is if I were the Ranger GM I would bend over backwards to improve the talent on the Rangers like that. JUST DON”T GIVE UP ANYMORE DRAFT PICKS SATHER OR I”LL FIGHT YOU MYSELF! The Sharks may be inclined to deal a 30 year old who hasn’t won there yet for a guy like Drury who would fit in very very well with the talented Sharks around him. The Sharks may think it’s time to give more time to the rising stars Setoguchi, Pavelski, Torrey Mitdhell, Michalek McGinn and Clowe and be willing to part with Marleau. And if Sather has a pulse he will pounce on this like a hungry lion. I personally wasn’t satisfied with what we got from Drury. He never was here what he was in Buffalo or Colorado NEVER. Talking hockey is more exciting than watching baseball, LETS GO RANGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!