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New York Rangers: John Davidson resigns Columbus job, next stop New York

By Steve Paulus

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 08: Former Rangers color commentator John Davidson (R) and play by play announcer Sam Rosen (L) speak to the crowd prior to the game against Carolina Hurricanes during the 1994 Stanley Cup Anniversary event at Madison Square Garden on February 8, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 08: Former Rangers color commentator John Davidson (R) and play by play announcer Sam Rosen (L) speak to the crowd prior to the game against Carolina Hurricanes during the 1994 Stanley Cup Anniversary event at Madison Square Garden on February 8, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 06: Prior to the game between the New York Rangers and the Columbus Blue Jackets, Rick Nash #61 of the New York Rangers was honored for playing in his 1000th NHL game and is joined by John Davidson of the Blue Jackets (l) at Madison Square Garden on November 6, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 06: Prior to the game between the New York Rangers and the Columbus Blue Jackets, Rick Nash #61 of the New York Rangers was honored for playing in his 1000th NHL game and is joined by John Davidson of the Blue Jackets (l) at Madison Square Garden on November 6, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The worst kept secret in the NHL just became fact. John Davidson is the next president of the New York Rangers.

The news that Davidson is bound for the New York Rangers was released in an official statement from Owner John P. McConnell and Business Operations President Mike Priest.

"“The New York Rangers recently sought permission from our organization to speak with John Davidson about serving as their team president. That permission was granted and today John has resigned his position as the president of hockey operations and alternate governor with the Columbus Blue Jackets."

According to a report in The Athletic, Davidson is supposed to be introduced as the next New York Rangers president at a press conference next Wednesday.  With his departure, Blue Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen will take on the role of alternate governor.  Davidson had left Kekalainen in charge of the hockey decisions, so it should be business as usual in Columbus.

The irony is that while with Columbus, Davidson tried to convince Artemi Panarin to remain with the team and now that he is with the Rangers, one of his first missions will be to woo him to come to New York.

This is the second time that Davidson has resigned from a role as team president.  He departed from a similar position with the St. Louis Blues in 2012 when new owners bought the team.  This time, the belief is that he had an out in his contract with the Blue Jackets that would allow him to leave if the New York job became available.

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Canadian hockey player John Davidson, goalkeeper for the New York Rangers, on the ice during a playoff game against the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York, 1979. (Photo by Melchior DiGiacomo/Getty Images) /

John Davidson is coming home.  He spent 30 years in New York as a player and broadcaster.  As goaltender, he took the team to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1979 and as a broadcaster, the was there when the team finally ended the jinx and won the Cup in 1994.   He is one of the most respected minds in the NHL and is an influential member of the hockey hierarchy.

The best news is that his practice has been to leave the major hockey decisions up to his general manager and if so, he should get along fine with Jeff Gorton.  A confidante and golf buddy of Glen Sather, the hiring of Davidson means that the Rangers rebuild will continue on the path that it has taken for almost two years.

Related Story. Latest on John Davidson. light

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