New York Rangers: It’s time for John Davidson to come home
By Ed Stein
With Steve Yzerman now out of the mix, John Davidson is the favorite to become the next New York Rangers President of Hockey Operations. It’s time to bring J.D. home.
The New York Rangers hunt for a new team president, to replace retired Glen Sather, took a turn when candidate was Steve Yzerman announced as VP and GM of the Red Wings on Friday, leaving a similar post with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The move clears the field for former Blueshirts goalie and broadcaster John Davidson to get the job.
Davidson, known to Rangers fans as J.D., became a Madison Square Garden fan favorite almost as soon as he hit Broadway from St. Louis in 1975. His electrifying saves and fearless attitude made him the successor to Ed Giocomin in the New York goal. His on-ice career will probably best known for backstopping the 1978-79 team all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals before eventually falling to Montreal.
After J.D. Hung up his skates in 1983, he joined the New York Rangers broadcast team as an analyst. In 1986 he replaced Phil Esposito as the team’s television color commentator. His chemistry with broadcast partner Sam Rosen was spectacular.
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Davidson’s astute analysis, sense of humor, and signature “Oh Baby” call made him extremely popular for his 20-year stint in the booth. Aside from his duties with the Rangers, J.D. was a hit on the national stage. He became the go-to color man on national broadcasts with NBC, ABC, and Fox for 15 years.
It was a surprise to many when he gave up that lucrative career to become President of Hockey Operations for the St. Louis Blues in 2006. Davidson held that position until 2012 when he accepted a similar job with the Colombus Blue Jackets. He brought in GM Jarmo Kekalainen and head coach John Tortorella to change the culture. Under his leadership, the Jackets have gone from also-rans to legitimate threats in the Eastern Conference.
Now is a perfect time for J.D. To come home. He is both loved and desired by the New York Rangers faithful. His core players in Columbus are set to become unrestricted free agents at the end of the season. Why not jump ship and take the reigns in New York?
He can be the man that oversees the Rangers rebuild from this summer forward. He can’t talk about his interest in the Blueshirts job because Columbus is still in the playoffs, after upsetting top-seeded Tampa Bay in round one.
Next. Interview with former Knicks VP Jonathan Supranowitz. dark
As difficult as it is to say, this one is on team owner James Dolan. If he wants Davidson and is willing to pay what it takes to get him to New York, Davidson will be the head of the organization. It would be fantastic to hear a packed Garden yelling J-D again.