The New York Rangers had always prided themselves on their camaraderie and team-first mentality, but when news broke that General Manager Chris Drury had traded away Barclay Goodrow to the San Jose Sharks, the bond between key players—Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox, and Jacob Trouba—began to crack. The decision to offload Goodrow, a gritty veteran who had been a stabilizing force in the locker room and on the ice, sent shockwaves through the team. Kreider, Zibanejad, Fox, and Trouba, all of whom had forged a deep respect and friendship with Goodrow, were livid.
They felt betrayed. Goodrow wasn’t just another player; he was a locker room leader, someone who had sacrificed personal statistics for the betterment of the team. Drury’s decision seemed callous and shortsighted. It wasn’t just a trade—it was a message that the sacrifices of players like Goodrow didn’t matter. The players felt the GM had undermined the very core values that had brought them success and unity.
In the days following the trade, whispers spread through the Rangers' locker room. There was talk of rebellion, not just against the trade but against Drury himself. Kreider, with his leadership experience, took charge of the group, while Zibanejad and Trouba echoed the sentiments of the growing resentment. Adam Fox, normally the calm, collected one, couldn’t hold back his frustration either. Together, they concocted a plan, not just to salvage the season but to send a message that would shake the foundations of the organization.
They decided to actively tank the season. It wasn’t a decision made lightly, but they were driven by a desire to show Drury just how important Goodrow had been to the team's success, and how much the GM’s cold, calculated decision had affected their trust. Kreider, who had been a consistent leader on the ice, began to play with a lack of urgency. Zibanejad, usually a lethal goal-scorer, found himself misfiring and making mistakes he would never usually make. Fox, who was normally the Rangers' best defenseman, started to lose his poise in critical moments, and Trouba’s physical game turned reckless, committing costly penalties.
It was clear—this wasn’t just a slump. It was a protest.
The fans, initially confused by the uncharacteristic drop in performance, started to take notice. The media, too, caught wind of the Rangers' struggles, and soon rumors began to swirl that the team’s star players were intentionally underperforming. Behind closed doors, Kreider, Zibanejad, Fox, and Trouba discussed the ultimate goal: forcing Drury to face the consequences of his decision. Their hope was that if they sabotaged the season to the point where it became untenable, Drury would be forced out as GM.
Their actions spoke louder than words. The Rangers’ slide down the standings was swift and decisive. The team became a shell of its former self. Games that were once competitive became routs, and soon the once-promising season seemed to be slipping away from the Rangers' grasp. Drury, for all his attempts to shore up the roster, couldn’t reverse the tide.
As the season neared its conclusion and the Rangers found themselves out of playoff contention, Kreider, Zibanejad, and Fox knew their mission was nearly complete. The press, the fans, and the front office would soon have no choice but to acknowledge the team’s complete collapse. It wasn’t just about playing poorly—it was about sending a message. The Rangers’ leadership had made a bold stand against Drury's decision, one that had sent shockwaves through the franchise.
In the end, the season was a disaster, and the repercussions were felt in every corner of the organization. Drury’s job hung in the balance, and though the players knew they had sacrificed something greater than just wins and losses, they also knew they had sent a message that would echo for years. The future of the Rangers would depend on how the front office responded to the rebellion of its own players. Would Drury be fired, as Kreider, Zibanejad, Fox, and Trouba had hoped? Or would the GM double down on his choices, leaving the team forever fractured? Only time would tell.
