L eading off

Davidson l e av e s B lu e Jack e t s f o r Rangers

John Davidson was hired Friday as president of the New York Rangers, hours after leaving his post with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Davidson rejoined the organization he was synonymous with as a goaltender and a longtime broadcaster and will to try to turn the Rangers back into a contender. He leaves the Blue Jackets in a much better position than they were in when he took over as president of hockey operations seven years ago, helping turn an NHL also- ran into a regular playoff contender. Columbus won its first playoff series in this spring. The man known affectionately as “JD” succeeds Glen Sather after the Hall of Fame executive shifted to an advisory role under owner James Dolan. Jeff Gorton remains the Rangers general manager. Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen will assume Davidson’s role as alternate governor, though it’s unclear how the team’s front office will be structured moving forward.