[News] John Davidson resigns as CBJ POHO. Named NYR president

[sureLoss]

https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news...davidson051719

STATEMENT FROM BLUE JACKETS 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.

"Personally, I want to thank J.D. for his friendship and the many contributions that he and his wife, Diana, have made to the Blue Jackets and throughout our community. He helped us forge a winning culture based on preparation, hard work, accountability and honesty. He set the tone and hired talented people that put in place a plan to build the Blue Jackets through the draft and player development with the end goal being a team that could compete and have success at the highest-level on a yearly basis.

"The winning culture that now is entrenched in all of us will continue under the direction of Jarmo Kekalainen, who will now serve as an alternate governor in addition to general manager, and the leaders within our hockey operations department. We remain committed to improving on the successes we've had in recent seasons with the goal of bringing a Stanley Cup championship to Columbus."

STATEMENT FROM BLUE JACKETS OWNER/GOVERNOR JOHN P. McCONNELL
"When we hired John Davidson in October 2012, I said I thought he was the perfect person to lead our hockey operations efforts. Nearly seven years later, I believe I was right. He joined our team at a very difficult time and led a transformation that has resulted in consistent winning and appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. J.D. is a man of great character and compassion and I completely understand his interest in the unique opportunity before him. I know leaving Columbus is a difficult decision for him as he has a genuine love of our community and organization, but the possibility of returning to his roots in New York, where he spent three decades as a player and broadcaster, is an extraordinary circumstance for him and his family.

"On behalf of my family, our ownership group and the entire Blue Jackets organization, I want to thank J.D. and wish him, Diana and their family nothing but the best in the years to come."

[troutman]

66 years old.

[Toonage]

JD is Ranger royalty. Beloved. Would be shocked if he doesn't end up back there.

Edit - And that was quick. Just named President

[sureLoss]

If he has resigned then he and the Rangers have already agreed to terms, it is just a matter of officially announcing it.

Going to be an interesting summer for the Jackets. Davidson leaving at the same time 3 big UFAs are likely to leave the team. The team also spent a lot of futures for this year's playoff run.

[shadowlord]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

If he has resigned then he and the Rangers have already agreed to terms, it is just a matter of officially announcing it.

Going to be an interesting summer for the Jackets. Davidson leaving at the same time 3 big UFAs are likely to leave the team. The team also spent a lot of futures for this year's playoff run.

Any chance some of those UFAs end up signing with the Rangers?

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

...
Going to be an interesting summer for the Jackets. Davidson leaving at the same time 3 big UFAs are likely to leave the team. The team also spent a lot of futures for this year's playoff run.

Knowing that they're likely to lose all three of them, JD decided to go all-in at the deadline. I commend him and the ownership for having the balls to do it, simply for the sake of going for it. I am sure Columbus fans had a blast watching the playoffs. I doubt Treliving would ever do something like this.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by shadowlord

Any chance some of those UFAs end up signing with the Rangers?

Sure, Panarin could. It's more likely he goes to FLA to reunite with Quenneville.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by shadowlord

Any chance some of those UFAs end up signing with the Rangers?

Panarin is definitely a possibility, Rangers have been a long speculated/rumored top destination for him.

Good chance they try for Duchene. After Zibanejad they don't have a lot of great C depth. They do have some promising 19/20 year olds that can play that position so easing them in behind Duchene and Zibanejad might be ideal.

Bobrovsky is unlikely unless Lundqvist retires or allows the Rangers to trade him. Doubtful they can afford to allocate that much salary cap to 2 goalies. But who knows, if they don't spend crazy this summer maybe they can work it in.

[Rtown]

Pretty Classy Statement from the owner there. The Blue Jackets have just earned a little place in my heart.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Rtown

Pretty Classy Statement from the owner there. The Blue Jackets have just earned a little place in my heart.

There's classy and there's Florida-classy...

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Panarin is definitely a possibility, Rangers have been a long speculated/rumored top destination for him.

Good chance they try for Duchene. After Zibanejad they don't have a lot of great C depth. They do have some promising 19/20 year olds that can play that position so easing them in behind Duchene and Zibanejad might be ideal.

Bobrovsky is unlikely unless Lundqvist retires or allows the Rangers to trade him. Doubtful they can afford to allocate that much salary cap to 2 goalies. But who knows, if they don't spend crazy this summer maybe they can work it in.

Rangers probably re-sign zuccarello and Hayes is my guess as well.

[Sylvanfan]

The Rangers job is pretty much Davidson's dream job. You have to give him credit as he took over the Blues when they were a mess, and was able to get them on the right track. Went to Columbus to take on a larger challenge as a guy with no history in the Community or with the organization and really has managed to lead a cultural shift there too.

Given the resources he'll have to work with, and that the Rangers by default pretty much get to tamper with everyone else's NCAA Free agents... I have to think he'll have the Rangers winning a Stanley cup in the next 5 years.

[sureLoss]

New York Rangers @NYRangers
OFFICIAL: John Davidson has been named #NYR President.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

There's classy and there's Florida-classy...

Considering that happened solely because of the owner Vinnie Viola, and he is a true New Yorker through and through, it should be considered "New York-Classy" rather than being attributed to Florida.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

...Vinnie Viola, and he is a true New Yorker through and through...

Brooklyn!

[Press Level]

Originally Posted by troutman

66 years old.

And...?

I don't get why people do this. Is there a "Best Before" date that determines when you can still be effective at your job?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Brooklyn!

What is 'No Sleep 'Til' Alex?

[ricosuave]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Knowing that they're likely to lose all three of them, JD decided to go all-in at the deadline. I commend him and the ownership for having the balls to do it, simply for the sake of going for it. I am sure Columbus fans had a blast watching the playoffs. I doubt Treliving would ever do something like this.

JD wasn't the GM.

[Geeoff]

I wonder if Jarmo gets promoted to POHO and someone else as GM? Seems to be a popular thing for teams to do now to add younger voices to management.

[Strange Brew]

Every time I have heard Davidson speak I come away impressed. Comes across as sincere and honest, and not the usual hockey cliche machine. Maybe because he started as a broadcaster after his playing days.