If it is indeed Christmas in July for Derek Stepan, as the New York Daily News’ Larry Brooks suggested, then Santa Claus in his midsummer escapade to Manhattan must have left Stepan the gift that keeps on giving. A few things have happened since the last time we visited this issue, they all benefit Stepan and they all put New York Rangers‘ newly minted GM Jeff Gorton in a position that probably has him reaching for a bottle of Tums and a bicarb.
That gift gave yet another to Stepan late Tuesday evening in when Ryan O’Reilly was arrested for driving under the influence and fleeing the scene.