Reports: New York Rangers’ GM has given the team the nicest gift by signing prominent player to the team since he became the…..See more

On Thursday, Vincent Trocheck turned 31 years old, and of all the moves made by New York Rangers General Manager Chris Drury since taking over in May 2021, he has given the team the nicest gift. In the wake of inking Trocheck to a seven-year deal worth $5.625 million, many questioned whether the player had been overpaid for his services, given his history of injury and other issues that made it difficult for him to consistently score 50 points.

Trocheck has since established himself as a top-tier, dependable forward with the New York Yankees. Trocheck netted 22 goals and added 42 assists for 64 points in 82 games played during his rookie season with the Blueshirts. After that, he played in all 82 games last season and scored 77 points, which was a new career record for him (25 goals, 52 assists). In 23 postseason games for the Rangers throughout his career, he scored nine goals and added twelve assists. During the most recent postseason, Trocheck stood out as the most reliable and effective player for New York.

Trocheck was a fantastic addition to what was unquestionably the greatest line in the NHL and the best line for New York. Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere, the Rangers’ center trio, routinely performed at an exceptional level and frequently carried the team to victories.

This is a standout move among Drury’s previous actions as Rangers GM, which include other successful ones like the Adam Fox deal and the 2023 signings of Copp and Vatrano. On a list that also includes some huge busts, including the Barclay Goodrow deal and the Pavel Buchnevich trade, it comes out on top.