Chris Drury's tenure as the New York Rangers' General Manager has been marked by both promise and disappointment, particularly concerning the returns on his trades. While some moves have shown initial potential, a pattern of underwhelming results has emerged, raising questions about the long-term effectiveness of his strategies.

One of Drury's most significant recent moves was trading Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings. In exchange, the Rangers received forward prospect Liam Greentree and a pair of mid-round conditional draft picks: a third-rounder in 2026 and a fourth-round selection in 2028. While Drury expressed liking Greentree over a first-round pick due to his perceived readiness for the NHL, the trade has been met with skepticism by some who question whether the return matches Panarin's star power and offensive capabilities.

Looking back, Drury's 2022 trade deadline acquisitions initially appeared promising. He brought in Frank Vatrano, Andrew Copp and Tyler Motte. However, the long-term impact of these trades is debatable. While Vatrano and Motte were acquired for reasonable costs, the price for Copp was considered high, with the Rangers giving up valuable draft picks.

The 2022-23 season saw Drury "go all-in" at the deadline, acquiring Patrick Kane, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Niko Mikkola. This involved trading away a significant number of draft picks. While these additions were intended to bolster the Rangers' chances for a deep playoff run, the team ultimately fell short of expectations.

Some of Drury's earlier trades, such as offloading Georgiev and Lundkvist, have been viewed positively as a way to replenish draft capital. However, other moves have been criticized, such as surrendering two second-rounders to convince the Coyotes to take Nemeth, which was seen as an admission of fault.

Overall, Drury's tenure has been a mixed bag. While he has made some shrewd moves, the Rangers need more from their young players. There is a need to tweak things in regards to scouting and development. The recent trade of Panarin, coupled with the somewhat underwhelming returns from previous deals, underscores the need for Drury to reassess his approach to player acquisitions and development to ensure the Rangers' long-term success.