Chris Drury Retires After 12 NHL Seasons

[VodkaFish]

Veteran forward played in 892 NHL games

TORONTO – Chris Drury announced his retirement today from the National Hockey League (NHL) following a 12-year career.

After being drafted by the Quebec Nordiques with the 72nd pick in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, Drury went on to play 892 career NHL games with four different teams (Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers).

[PhlyerPhanatic]

Some Rangers fans would argue he retired when he left Buffalo.

[NJDevils17]

I'm pretty surprised.

He isn't that old (34 I think), but I guess those injuries last year got to him. I thought he'd sign somewhere in a smaller market that needs veteran leadership.

[Machinehead2k5]

I wouldn't have mind seeing Drury in a Pens jersey for the same price Sullivan signed for.

[The DZA]

Originally Posted by NJDevils17

I thought he'd sign somewhere in a smaller market that needs veteran leadership.

True, and Im sure he was offered contracts, like 1-2 million a season, but I bet he felt he was worth more based on his NHL experience alone and didnt want such a cut in salary.

Its happened to a lot of guys in the last few years with the cap.

It seems to me and you like a no brainer to play hockey and get paid a million dollars a year to do it, but just imagine all the **** talk and chirping Drury would have to put up with on the ice. Going from a 7 million dollar player a year to a 1 or 1.5 million dollar player? The chirping would be endless.

He made enough money and doesnt have to put up with that **** for a year.

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

congrats on a solid NHL career....even got him a cup.
still, Drury's proudest moment comes from his little league baseball days.

[BROKEN*ORBITAL]

What? Just a couple of weeks ago noted hockey insider Ecklund was reporting he was going to sign with the Leafs.

I'm shocked he was wrong.

[canuckfan]

Is this a player retiring, or just plain quitting? I know Drury has had a tough couple seasons, but I thought for sure he had a couple more good years left in him. Maybe he just wasn't getting the kind of offers he was looking for, or the desire just ain't there anymore.

I keep forgetting he had that 1 year in Calgary. I think most Flames fans see it as a forgettable one too. But the guy had a knack for scoring some huge goals in his career - how many OT playoff goals did he score? At least 5, maybe more.

[OilersHockey]

Originally Posted by canuckfan

Is this a player retiring, or just plain quitting?

That's how I see it.

I don't need the cash. F you and your $1.5 million contract. I'd rather stay home.

[NJDevils17]

I figured he'd be willing to take a paycut since he's still getting paid by the Rangers.

[Humpzilla]

Drury was one of my favorite players in his early years with the Avs. Its too bad what could have been considering how the rest of his career played out.

[BROKEN*ORBITAL]

Originally Posted by OilersHockey

That's how I see it.

I don't need the cash. F you and your $1.5 million contract. I'd rather stay home.

Can you blame him?

He's got his Stanley Cup and boat loads of cash. Did he ever strike you as the Jeremy Roenick/Gary Roberts type of player who was going to play until he could absolutely play no more?

No. He's been a "pretty boy" his whole career and is going to retire the same way. He's the kind of guy who thinks, "I go back for a 1.5 mill that I don't need to either mentor a bunch young players I really don't care about, or to try to win a Ring that I already have, and then I get a stick or puck in the eye, and then what........?"

Some guys have the drive and compete to want to play at the highest level for as long as they can. Drury never came across as that type to me. This move doesn't surprise me.

[BobNystromOwnsU]

He's a winner, plain and simple.

Love him, and was pissed when he went to the Rags. He's probably my favorite US hockey player not on the 1980 team.

Shame on you guys for bagging on him about money, you have no idea how beat up he is or why he retired. Did you ask his mom?

[skacore]

That was pretty unexpected... oh well, in 2 years no one will even remember Chris Drury. He retired a rich man.

[puck_me_gently]

In fairness to the guy we don't really know what kind of long-term injuries he's dealing with, he's a shadow of the player he used to be and there could be a zillion legitimate reasons for that.