Not the way Drury had hoped his season would start, as he's looked impressive in skating & conditioning drills. Plus, you got to have some serious chops & dedication to be putting your body in front of shots in scrimmages. But that's just the way Drury has always been; a warrior.
The intriguing question now is who steps up to fill the void left behind:
1) The Usuals: Guys already slated to be on the opening night roster such as Erik Christensen, Vinny Prospal, and Brian Boyle are more than capable of holding down the fort until Drury returns. In particular, Christensen could you use the extra boost as his career depends on it. The talented center has found a home on Broadway and would love to cement himself here for a few more seasons.
2) Derek Stepan: The Rangers 2008 2nd round pick has had quite a year, leading Team USA to just its 2nd ever gold medal in the 2010 IIHF U20 Championship, not to mention a stellar season at Wisconsin. Stepan has already turned some heads at training camp, centering a line featuring Marian Gaborik and newly acquired Alex Frolov that scored 4 points in the first scrimmage. Could this be the opening he needs to at least crack the opening night roster and, in turn, force a tough decision out of the Rangers brass?
3) Newcomers: Todd White could arguably need this opportunity for him to make the team. His 2.375 mil cap hit could be burdensome and easily sent down to Hartford to make space. While his two-way ability could be an asset, this training camp could me a make-or-break point not only in White's tenure with the Rangers, but his career as well.
4) A Dark Horse: Someone who flys under the radar but could step up big in Drury's brief absence is Artem Anisimov. He seemed to find his niche late last season and could translate that into increased production and ice-time this season. With the Rangers looking for more youth infused in the lineup, Anisimov's time to shine could be now.
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