The Rangers started their move on from the 2016-17 season beginning with management changes with their AHL affiliate in Hartford. GM Jeff Gorton relieved Ken Gernander of his coaching duties with the Wolf Pack with a replacement to be announced by the team at a later date. In addition, Rangers Senior Vice President and Assistant General Manager Jim Schoenfeld relinquished his duties as GM of the Wolf Pack and will focus solely on his duties in New York. Rangers Assistant General Manager Chris Drury will assume the role of GM of the Wolf Pack.
The removal of Gernander doesn't come as a huge shock. Hartford failed to make the playoffs three of he past four seasons and had the worst record in the league this season. Gernander was a fixture in Hartford, serving as head coach for the past 10 years after playing and then moving up to assistant coach. Player development in the past was solid, but for the most, the current promotions have mainly been fourth liners. Part of that is on he talent he was provided but few advanced beyond that level. Plus those top prospects that moved up the ladder seemed to have extended growing pains at the NHL level. These factors likely also contributed to Schoenfeld relinquishing his duties as Hartford's GM, a role he had for 14 seasons.
Drury completed his first season as Assistant General Manager in 2016-17 after being promoted to the post on September 2, 2016. He served as Director of Player Development for one season after rejoining the Rangers organization on September 4, 2015. Buffalo requested permission to interview Drury for their open GM position, but were denied and then ultimately hire Jason Botteril. Drury's presence played a major role in convincing Jimmy Vesey to sign with the Rangers and by all accounts, it's only a matter of time before he is an NHL GM. Adding the Hartford GM duties to his current responsibilities broadens his skill set and will make him even more attractive to suitors.For New York, Drury knows the current system in New York and can assist in the player development that may have stagnated in Hartford.
Coach Alain Vigneault said on breakup day that he will sit down in about 10 days with the coaching staff and evaluate the season and what they do moving forward. This should take place by the end of this week. We expect/hope changes on the parent club coaching staff and those meetings, which will also include GM Jeff Gorton, will drive the player personnel decisions.