Glen Sather has informed Chris Drury that the Rangers will buy out the final season of the captain’s contract, The Post has learned.
Drury, whose 2010-11 was ruined by injuries that limited him to 24 games during which he was reduced to a bit player, signed a five-year, $32.5 million free agent contract on July 1, 2007. It was the same day the Rangers signed free agent Scott Gomez to a seven-year, $51.5 million deal.
The Post also has learned that the Rangers will not buy out either Wojtek Wolski or Sean Avery, each of whom ended the season with tenuous futures on Broadway.
The Drury buyout, which will become official during the proscribed June 15-30 window for such transactions, will open $3,333,333 of 2011-12 cap space while costing the team $1,666,667 in dead space the following season under the rules of the current collective bargaining agreement
Drury, who carried a $7.05 million cap hit, would have been due $5 million in salary under terms of his contract. He will receive $3,716,667 over the next two years as his buyout payment.
The center, who will turn 35 in August, missed 31 of the first 32 games with a twice broken finger. He played 22 games from Dec. 15 to Feb. 3 before leaving the lineup to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Drury returned for the final game of the season against the Devils and scored his only goal of the year. He then received limited minutes in the five-game first-round defeat against the Capitals.
Head coach John Tortorella made it clear on breakup day he believed the best course of action going forward was to buy out Drury.
“Dru is getting older; that’s why he has a chronic knee [condition],” Tortorella said. “It’s not my total decision but I have my thoughts.”
It is unknown whether Drury will seek to continue his career or whether the 12-year veteran (255-360-615 in 892 games) and three-time USA Olympian will retire. Drury also played for the Avalanche, Flames and Sabres.
It also is possible, if not likely, that Drury will undergo medical treatment for his knee before deciding on a course of action.