The New York Rangers are entering the second rendition of "The Letter", with an updated addendum to the rebuild era. Now a retool, it is time for the Blueshirts to take a step back and analyze where they are and how they can get back to being a contender.
There are really only two people who can make these observations and ultimately, decisions to make changes, and that is Chris Drury and Mike Sullivan. Drury, the President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, and Sullivan, entering his second season behind the bench, are both on the hot seat next season.
Question is, who's sitting in a hotter seat?
Easy answer
The answer here is really simple, but has some evidence to back it up. Neither Drury nor Sullivan will be fired next season. It does not matter whether they make the playoffs or not, as both have secure jobs until the 2027-28 season begins.
The reason is that this is not an expected season that the Rangers will be contenders. There is way too much uncertainty, and lackluster performance to throw tomatoes at one singular person. It is a complete team-effort as to how bad this franchise has been in the last two seasons.
Now, if things do not get better in terms of cohesion and a path established back to prominence, the burners will be turned on for one of them.
If you had to pick one?
If the 2026-27 season follows the script, it will be another lottery pick for the Rangers. Which is fine, but there has to be more done than just drafting. Drury has yet to show his true ability to win over free agents or trade possibilities, aside from grabbing Vladislav Gavrikov.
The Rangers are going to need some help via free agency, once the youth movement blossoms into what we expect it to be. That is where Drury is going to have to shine. And that is why Drury is going to be on more of a hot seat than Sullivan will, because Sullivan proved himself for a decade in Pittsburgh that he can put together a great lineup, and can motivate this team back to being in Stanley Cup contending form.
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