Chris Drury

Former Stanley Cup champion and New York Rangers captain Chris Drury retired from the NHL Friday after 12 seasons, according to ESPN New York.

Drury was a free agent this summer after being bought out of the final year of his Rangers contract in June and did not find another team to sign for.

This year's free agency crop has dwindled tremendously since the beginning of free agency on July 1.

Even before that, there were really only a couple of high-profile names set to become UFAs this summer. In the goal scoring forward department there was Brad Richards first and foremost and few other big names.

On defense, the most high-profile defensemen were quickly re-signed before they could hit the free agent market (Andrei Markov, Kevin Bieksa, Joni Pitkanen).

New York Rangers general manager Glen Sather is prepared to buy out the final season of Chris Drury's five-year, $35.25 million contract, according to a report by Jesse Spector of the New York Daily News, who cited an anonymous source. 

"He's gone," the source told the Daily News.

It is indeed that time of year again. The flowers are blossoming, the temperatures are rising, and the ice is heating up. It is time for some playoff hockey and most of the match ups are set. This evening the playoff schedules will be unveiled and the true fun will begin. 

The New York Rangers are doing their part to keep their playoff hopes alive; they have defeated the New Jersey Devils by a score of 5-2 this afternoon.

New Jersey forward Nick Palmieri opened the scoring at 2:03 of the first period, putting the Rangers playoff hopes in jeopardy, if only briefly.

The New York Rangers are doing their part to keep their playoff hopes alive, leading the New Jersey Devils after two periods this afternoon.

New Jersey forward Nick Palmieri opened the scoring at 2:03 of the first period, putting the Rangers playoff hopes in jeopardy, if only briefly.

Early reports dealing with New York Rangers captain Chris Drury have indicted that he'll need knee surgery and will be out of the lineup for six weeks healing.

But could that just be a pipe dream?

Knee surgery is a difficult option to gauge a comeback.

The Rangers know all too well this season with Vinny Prospal: His roller coaster return from knee surgery was a thing of legend, with several set backs preventing him from returning before February.

The Rangers might want to start putting some four-leaf clovers around the locker room.  On Wednesday, New York Rangers coach John Tortorella announced that captain Chris Drury will undergo knee surgery and miss close to six weeks. 

As I think back over the first 52 games of the season, I can’t help but be amazed at what this team has accomplished.  Perhaps The Who said it best, “The Kids Are Alright.” I truly believe in John Tortorella’s system and think this team can be very good for a sustainable period of time. 

That being said, I worry…a lot. 

This should have been a rough year. If everything went right, it still would have been a rough year.