Davidson (l) said that there is a game plan in place and the foundation is being builtRANGERS
NHL Rangers formally introduced new President of Hockey Operations John Davidson, and now he is tasked with "overseeing the rebuild" launched two seasons ago by GM Jeff Gorton and Davidson’s predecessor, Glen Sather, according to Zach Braziller of the N.Y. POST. And after overseeing rebuilds with the Blues and Blue Jackets, Davidson "knows the road that lies ahead." He said that this "won’t be a fairy-tale script." Davidson: “There’s no shortcuts. It’s nothing but hard work, and it takes patience and resolve. ... We’re going to be in a battle here to get this club to be better.” Davidson "hopes the relationship between Gorton and himself will be like they are 'married at the hip.'" He "doesn’t envision major changes, joking that he’s not walking into the job with a hand grenade." The Rangers now have to determine when it is "time to win, how much longer they wait until cashing in some of their chips, and when and how to spend big in free agency" (N.Y. POST, 5/23). Davidson added that he is "on the same page" with Owner James Dolan, President-turned-adviser Sather, Gorton and coach David Quinn. Davidson said, “There’s no secrets to it. ... This is something that has been very transparent and that’s a good way to go. There’s a game plan in place. The foundation is being built.” Gorton said, “He’s gone through it in two organizations. He’s done everything in hockey" (AP, 5/22).
STAY ON TARGET: In New Jersey, Abbey Mastracco noted the Rangers chose Davidson in part because he "didn’t want to steamroll anyone and isn’t the type of executive to come in and tear down the progress that has already been made." Davidson’s plans are "simply to work alongside Gorton and the rest of the front office to stay this current course and return the Rangers to prominence" (NORTHJERSEY.com, 5/22). In N.Y., Allan Kreda writes hiring Davidson is a "logical move for the youthful Rangers." He "brings the pedigree of a hockey life that has included most every layer" of the NHL, from player to HOF broadcaster to team exec. Asked if he "would feel instant pressure to generate results under the klieg lights of New York, Davidson said, 'I have no problems with that.'" He added, “If you want to do it right and do it well, there’s always pressure" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/23).
