Drury to return Friday, likely on top line
Chris Drury skates against the Islanders during a game at Nassau Coliseum. Credit: Getty Images
GREENBURGH, N.Y. - After a blocked shot broke his left index finger on Sept. 20, Chris Drury skated hard to stay in condition. But the Rangers captain confided that he was unsure of his role on the team. He'd offer the good-soldier response about "wherever the team needs me . . . wherever I can contribute."
No question, the 34-year-old Drury wanted to play at center or right wing. Privately, he targeted tomorrow's home opener against the Maple Leafs as the date for his return, although the initial assessment stretched to early next week. "He's been dying on the vine," coach John Tortorella said Monday.
After Drury, in shape and vibrant, skated with the No. 1 line at practice Wednesday, Tortorella announced his decision: "Chris is going to play Friday." Tortorella did not commit to where Drury, a force on the penalty-kill despite his disappointing production (12 goals and 32 points) last season, would fit, but it seems fairly clear.
Erik Christensen's strained groin/thigh created a natural opening at center: Drury practiced in his spot between Marian Gaborik and Alexander Frolov, goal scorers with a track record who have not hit the net in the first two games. "Everyone would love to play with them," said Drury, who is not restricted in any way and will wear new gloves with extra padding.
The coach also is reluctant to tamper with his other top trios: Brandon Dubsinky-Artem Anisimov-Ryan Callahan and Sean Avery-Derek Stepan-Ruslan Fedotenko. "Anisimov's line was our best line the other night, Stepan's line was not far behind," Tortorella said. "I don't think I'm going to be upsetting those two lines."
He also may be banking that Drury's energy will provide a lift for the first game at the Garden, where the Rangers were a moribund 18-17-6 last season. To make room for Drury, Tim Kennedy was assigned to Hartford.
Christensen, who felt a tug in the upper right leg on his second shift of the third period Monday against the Islanders and left the game, felt better after treatment but was still tender. "We'll see if I can skate [Thursday]," he said. Tortorella will determine his status Thursday. "I'm not sure that Erik's ready, and if he's ready, I'm not sure what's going to happen there." Once Drury comes off injured reserve, the Rangers must make a move to remain under the 23-man roster limit.
The coach also isn't sure about his third defensive pairing. Matt Gilroy was a healthy scratch for the first two games while Michael Sauer and Steve Eminger dressed. Tortorella called the 5 and 6 spots, "fluid . . . a constant evaluation."
