![John Davidson]()
Former President of Hockey Operations for the New York Rangers, John Davidson, issues an unexpected statement regarding the Rangers 2025-2026 season.
Former President of Hockey Operations for the New York Rangers, John Davidson, issues an unexpected statement regarding the Rangers 2025-2026 season.Maybe John Davidson is out of his element. But the former MSG Network Broadcaster and President of Hockey Operations is optimistic about the Rangers in 2025-2026.
During an interview with Vic Morren of the NHL Wraparound Podcast, he gave us a bold prediction of their return to form. It seems as if he's speaking from personal knowledge on the locker room, some of the core he helped build.
«I honestly think, in knowing a number of them, that they'll battle back (next season),» Davidson said on the podcast. «I know them. And I know they compete. I just have a sense that they're going to come back and battle and get back to a team that's going to make some noise.»
After being fired in 2021 from the Rangers, he went back to hold his old position with the Columbus Blue Jackets, until recently, where he's now a senior advisor for the team.
He and Jeff Gorton would oversee building the roster from 2019 to 2021, during the shortened seasons. Those years were the final two years of Head Coach David Quinn's tenure in New York as well.
During his time in New York, he'd bring Artemi Panarin to the Big Apple, along with Adam Fox, played his first two seasons under Davidson. Fox would win his Norris Trophy in 2020-2021 during that time frame as well.
Also, we can't forget #1 Rangers goalie, Igor Shesterkin, establishing himself then as well.
From afar, Davidson believes that it was a weird phenomenon, that all the star players took a step back at once. Something you should investigate after making it to the playoffs every year from 2022 to 2024, right?
«What I found interesting is that the majority of their best players, and there's quite a few of them, they all kind of fell backwards at the same time. And you've got to figure out why that happened,» Davidson said.
He felt confident about the Rangers' prospects and their ability to turn around and start being successful with the hiring of Mike Sullivan. He believes will be a major factor in the team's return to form soon.
«Mike Sullivan as head coach? That's going to help,» Davidson explained. «He gets it and he knows how to deal with players that are at the top of the heap. So, I think in looking at that situation, when he speaks, people are going to listen. That, I think, will be very helpful to the organization.
«They had a lot of off-years there. And I think after self-reflection, a strong summer, and I really believe Sullivan is good. I think he's really good. He's got a presence, he's smart, he's unrelenting. I think that's going to make a world of difference for them going forward.»
«They had a lot of off-years there. And I think after self-reflection, a strong summer, and I really believe Sullivan is good. I think he's really good. He's got a presence, he's smart, he's unrelenting. I think that's going to make a world of difference for them going forward.»
In the meantime, we'll have to wait to see what July holds in store for the Rangers as we could see more turnover, should GM Chris Drury decide this roster isn't worth keeping around.
