SHOCKING NEWS: Two days later,New York Rangers owner James Dolan fired president John Davidson and general manager Jeff Gorton. Despite the timing, Because They…

Two days later,New York Rangers owner James Dolan fired president John Davidson and general manager Jeff Gorton. Despite the timing, Because They…

In a week filled with chaos, controversy, and on-ice carnage, the New York Rangers made a stunning front-office decision that left the NHL world buzzing.

Just two days after the team issued an explosive public statement criticizing the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, Rangers owner James Dolan fired team president John Davidson and general manager Jeff Gorton. The timing, coming so close on the heels of the Tom Wilson incident and its fiery aftermath, led many to assume the dismissals were directly connected to the team’s statement. But according to multiple sources, the reasons go deeper.

A Statement Heard Round the League

The chain of events began on Monday night when Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson ignited a firestorm by violently attacking Rangers star Artemi Panarin and forward Pavel Buchnevich during a post-whistle scrum. The NHL’s decision to fine Wilson just $5,000 — without issuing a suspension — drew fierce backlash from fans, media, and players alike.

In a rare and sharply worded statement the next day, the Rangers organization publicly condemned NHL Department of Player Safety head George Parros, calling him “unfit to continue in his current role.” The move was almost unprecedented — a team openly criticizing the league’s disciplinary arm — and it triggered immediate speculation about internal friction within the Rangers’ hierarchy.

Firing Shocks Front Office and League

Then, just 48 hours later, came the news: Davidson and Gorton were out.

Despite the timing, sources close to the team say the firings were not solely about the Wilson incident or the subsequent statement. According to insiders, Dolan had grown increasingly frustrated with the team’s lack of physicality and perceived lack of urgency under Davidson and Gorton’s leadership. While the Rangers have made notable progress in developing young talent and rebuilding their roster, Dolan reportedly felt the team was too “soft” and lacked a gritty, competitive edge — something that was glaringly evident during Monday’s incident with Wilson.

“James Dolan wants to win, and he wants this team to have an identity,” said one source familiar with the owner’s thinking. “He wasn’t seeing that fast enough.”

Reports also suggested that Davidson and Gorton tried to distance themselves from the fiery statement about Parros, which Dolan himself had spearheaded. This may have further strained the relationship between ownership and the front office.

Chris Drury Elevated Amid Change

In a swift transition, former Rangers captain and current associate GM Chris Drury was promoted to both president and general manager — a rare dual role that signals Dolan’s trust in Drury to steer the franchise moving forward.

Drury, long seen as a rising star in NHL executive circles, will now be tasked with guiding a promising but still-developing Rangers squad into playoff contention. With cornerstone players like Panarin, Adam Fox, Mika Zibanejad, and young talents such as Alexis Lafrenière and Kaapo Kakko, the foundation is solid. But Dolan clearly wants a more assertive direction — both on and off the ice.

“Chris is a natural leader who understands what it means to be a Ranger,” Dolan said in a brief statement. “He is passionate about this team and is ready for this challenge.”

What’s Next for the Rangers?

The sudden front-office shakeup comes just days before the end of the regular season, throwing yet another wrench into a turbulent year for the Rangers. While the team is out of playoff