Drury breaks finger, will miss four weeks

GREENBURGH, N.Y. - In the glass-half-full scenario, Chris Drury's broken left index finger occurred in Monday's scrimmage and not in midseason. Given his determination and conditioning level, he could miss just a couple of regular-season games.

On the glass-half-empty side, the Rangers captain appeared very sharp in the precamp workouts, it is the second hand injury from a blocked shot in 18 months, and the 34-year-old center could be slowed by the fracture for even longer.

A grimacing Drury left the ice immediately for an examination; the team said the fracture would not require surgery and that the center would miss four weeks. The Rangers open the season in Buffalo on Oct. 9, just 18 days away.

"You never know," coach John Tortorella said because Drury will be able to skate and stay in condition. But Drury, whose fearless style on the penalty kill is to challenge shots and is generally among the league leaders in blocks by forwards, may need different gloves. "I don't know if it's the padding, but we're going to have to do something," Tortorella said. "It just happens too much."

Drury tried protective extensions last season, but wasn't comfortable with them.

"It's not good news," winger Marian Gaborik said. "Hopefully, it will heal quickly and we can have him back. It's just frustrating for him. It's his top hand, which is better. He's a big part of our team. We have to manage without him."

Drury was unavailable for comment afterward.

"It's a tough break for him," Vinny Prospal said. "He was skating well and in great shape; now he'll miss the rest of camp."

Drury, who had 14 goals and 18 assists in 77 games last season, missed five games after a concussion from a blindside hit in Calgary on Nov. 7. The previous season, Drury was ineffective playing in the first round of the playoffs with a broken hand.

The Rangers have numerous centers, including returnees Artem Anisimov and Erik Christensen. Among the candidates to temporarily replace Drury in the lineup are rookie Derek Stepan, 20, the 2008 second-round draft pick who left the University of Wisconsin to turn pro and has impressed the front office, veteran Todd White, who was acquired in a trade with the Thrashers, and former Sabre Tim Kennedy.