After shakeup, Drury in charge
President Davidson, GM Gorton dumped with 3 games left
NEW YORK — The New York Rangers abruptly fired president John Davidson and general managerJeffGortononWednesday with three games left in the season.
Chris Drury was named president and GM. He previously served as associate GM under Davidson and Gorton.
The stunning move came less than 24 hours after the team ripped the league for fining but not suspending Washington’s Tom Wilson for his role in a scrum Monday night that injured Rangers star Artemi Panarin. In the statement, the team — not attributed to Davidson, Gorton or any individual — said the decision was a dereliction of duty and that George Parros was “unfit” to remain in his job as head of player safety.
It was not immediately clear if the front office shakeup had any connection to the statement. The Rangers postponed coach David Quinn’s pregame media availability Wednesday morning but did not give a reason why.
“We want to thank JD and Jeff for their contributions to the organization,” owner James Dolan said in a statement. “They are both great hockeyprofessionals whoworked hard for the Rangers, however, in order for the team to succeed in the manner our fans deserve, there needs to be a change in leadership.”
Whatever the reason, cutting ties with Davidson and G orton is a shocking development given the apparent speed of New York’ s rebuild. The Rangers qualified for the NHL’s expanded, 24-teamplayoffsin2020, wonthe draft lottery and the opportunity to select Alexis Lafreniere with the top pick and are expected to finish fifth in the eight-teamEast Division this season.
Since Gorton became GM in 2015 and Davidson joined the organization in spring 2019, the Rangers have built one of the most impressive collections of young talent in hockey. Inaddition to Lafreniere, they picked forward Kaapo Kakko second overall in the 2019 draft, found their goaltender of the future in Igor Shesterkin and acquired an elite No. 1 defenseman in Adam Fox.
Those players, along with Panarin and center MikaZibanejad, are expected to make up a core that contends for the postseason for years to come. Gorton and Davidson are responsible for bringing in all those players.
The path forward will now be charted by Drury, a Trumbull, Conn., native andarising star in management who finished his playing career as captain of the Rangers from 200811. He was recently named USA Hockey’s GM for the upcoming world championships.
“Chris is a very sought-after executive and a strong leader, who has proven himself to be one of the top young minds in hockey,” Dolan said. “We are confident he will effectively guide the teamtoensurethe long-term success we promised Rangers fans.”