Chris Drury broke his finger today blocking a shot, according to Andrew Gross:
Drury, 34, is expected to miss four weeks, meaning he will be absent for all six preseason games – which begin Thursday at Madison Square Garden against the Devils – and the season opener at Buffalo on Oct. 9. The Rangers play just three games the first two weeks of the season so Drury’s absence from the lineup – in a best-case scenario – could be minimal.
Drury scored 14 goals and 18 assists in 77 games last season, missing five games with a concussion after blocking a shot at Calgary on Nov. 7. Drury has a history of being able to play through some injuries, for instance, the broken hand which did not keep him out of the first-round playoff series against the Capitals in 2009.
This isn’t the worst news in the world for the Rangers, but it’s still not good. Although Drury isn’t contributing as many goals and points as his $7.1 million contract might make people expect from him, he is still a quality defensive presence on the ice and a leader on this team.
Drury, as outlined above, shouldn't miss more than three regular season games, which really makes this injury minimal. Thankfully, or unfortunately for Drury, he can still skate; so he is still subject to John Tortorella's training camp grind. Although this will help his transition back to playing, since he won't be out of shape.
The good news, as outlined by my colleague Dave Shapiro on Blueshirt Banter, is that highly touted prospect Derek Stepan will now get a longer look in camp. Stepan, who Tortorella has admitted will get a long look in camp, might get his chance right now to prove that he can compete on an NHL level. Since Drury will miss all six of the Rangers pre-season games, Stepan might get a chance to center the top line in some pre-season games.
In the end, let's hope for a swift recovery for Drury and hope that the injury doesn't linger.
In other injury news, Andrew Yogan (the Rangers 4th round pick—100th overall—in this year’s NHL entry draft) will be receiving surgery for a torn ligament in his shoulder.
This from Andrew Gross as well:
The Rangers also announced today that left wing Andrew Yogan, their fourth round pick this June, will undergo left shoulder surgery this week to repair a tear. Yogan said he suffered the injury last season while playing (and fighting) for Erie (OHL) and the Rangers said the extent of the injury was determined during team medicals on Friday. Yogan said he tried to strengthen the shoulder through the summer without surgery. The 19-year-old expects to be ready for the second half of the OHL season.
"It’s nothing too bad," Yogan said. "It’s a little frustrating but I’m not too worried about it. I’m still young. I’ll back back halfway through my season."
Yogan is a prospect who scouts agree has a ton of talent to be very successful in the NHL, but has to work on his work ethic. It’s not a big deal for him to miss half of the season (he plays in the OHL), so long as he can get healthy.