Chris Drury to be fired: New York Rangers owner James L. Dolan has just issued a notice that confirms it all
James Dolan just backed Chris Drury and Mike Sullivan, as talks regarding their futures with the New York Rangers organization have been speculated.
Just moments ago on Monday night, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Madison Square Garden Sports Corp, James L. Dolan, told WFAN he absolutely trusts Drury and called him a winner. He added that Drury and Sullivan are installing a new culture, and he is being patient.
That matters because a loud chunk of this fanbase has wanted Drury gone after years of polarizing roster decisions. When the owner talks this directly, it reads like a public shield.
#NYR owner James Dolan was asked on WFAN if he has trust in president and general manager Chris Drury:
"Yes, absolutely...Chris Drury is a winner."
"He and Mike Sullivan are installing a new culture into that club and that does not happen overnight. I'm being patient."
"Yes, absolutely...Chris Drury is a winner."
"He and Mike Sullivan are installing a new culture into that club and that does not happen overnight. I'm being patient."
It also fits the paper trail, because Chris Drury signed a multiyear extension back in April. That was already a major vote of confidence from above.
Drury has run hockey ops since May 2021, and the Rangers organization has made the playoffs three times in his first four seasons, one season ended with the Rangers winning the Presidents' Trophy in 2023-24.
Dolan's framing is pretty specific, he is tying the front office and the new coach together as one project. That tells you patience is not just for Sullivan's systems, it is for Drury's overall direction too.
James Dolan backs Chris Drury publicly
On the ice, culture shows up in details you can measure, cleaner exits, fewer lazy penalties, and less cheating for offense when a shift gets hard. If Sullivan is building a structure, Drury's job is to give him players who actually fit it.
Dolan's comments do not erase the criticism, they just move the argument forward. Instead of «fire him,» the conversation becomes, «fine, then prove it.»
Monday night is the next checkpoint, because talk is cheap and points are not. If the Rangers keep stacking honest wins, the patience line starts to sound less like PR and more like a plan.
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Previously on NY Hockey Insider
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 5 | 167 ANSWERS Chris Drury to be fired: New York Rangers owner James L. Dolan has just issued a notice that confirms it all Does James Dolan publicly backing Chris Drury change how you see the New York Rangers direction? | ||
| Yes | 36 | 21.6 % |
| No | 46 | 27.5 % |
| Fire Chris Drury | 73 | 43.7 % |
| Wait and see | 12 | 7.2 % |
| List of polls | ||