Stephen Whyno
FILE - John Davidson, the new president of the New York Rangers, speaks during a news conference in New York, in this Wednesday, May 22, 2019, file photo. The New York Rangers fired president John Davidson and general manager Jeff Gorton on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 according to multiple published reports. The New York Post and Sportsnet reported Davidson and Gorton had been fired with three games left in the season and replaced by associate general manager and former Rangers captain Chris Drury. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) May 05, 2021 - 7:39 PM
The New York Rangers abruptly fired president John Davidson and general manager Jeff Gorton on Wednesday with three games left in the season, a shocking move in the aftermath of the latest controversy for the storied NHL organization.
The New York Rangers somehow packed a spellbinding, four-part Broadway drama into a 56-game shortened NHL season.
There was the January dressing room dust-up between defenceman Tony DeAngelo and goaltender Alexandar Georgiev that led to DeAngelo’s season-long exile – definitely not a ‘Tony’ Award winner in asset management.
Then superstar Artemi Panarin took a leave of absence in March, shaken after what the team alleged as a Russian political hit piece that really turned out to be a Vladimir Putin supporter just spouting his mouth off in an attempt to curry favour.
Act Three was ignited by Capitals forward Tom Wilson with Monday’s melee at Madison Square Garden, causing the Rangers to condemn his “horrifying act of violence” in a pointed statement the likes of which the NHL has never before seen.
NHL roundup: Rangers abruptly fire team president John Davidson and GM Jeff Gorton
Team ownership believed the Rangers underachieved this season.
Associated Press
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NEW YORK The New York Rangers abruptly fired President John Davidson and General Manager Jeff Gorton on Wednesday 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.
Sprong sends Capitals to win over eliminated Rangers
Daniel Sprong’s tiebreaking goal in the third period propelled the Washington Capitals to a 6-3 victory over the fading New York Rangers, who were knocked out of playoff contention Monday night.
The Canadian Press
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NEW YORK Daniel Sprong’s tiebreaking goal early in the third period propelled the Washington Capitals to a 6-3 victory over the fading New York Rangers, who were knocked out of playoff contention Monday night.
Nic Dowd, Conor Sheary, Garnet Hathaway, Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson also scored for the Capitals as they snapped a two-game skid. Vitek Vanecek made 23 saves to earn the 19th win of his rookie season.