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Steve Yzerman back to Red Wings, now what for the Rangers?

April 19, 2019, 8:38 AM ET [522 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
When Glen Sather announced he was stepping away from his role as Team President to become a senior advisor, several individuals were mentioned as possible replacements. One prominent name was Steve Yzerman. Originally, all signs pointed to Stevie Y going back to Detroit, but Larry Brooks and others reported that Yzerman did have interest in the job. Well today that pipe dream ended.




This formal announcement doesn't come as a huge surprise. As mentioned above, Yzerman returning to Detroit made a ton of sense when he decided to leave Tampa. The press conference today will formalize Yzerman's role as GM with Ken Holland moving to President of Hockey Operations. This leaves New York still having to fill Sather's spot.







John Davidson was one of the other names prominently mentioned. You have wonder now that if Columbus' first round sweep of Tampa and possible further advancement in the playoffs will quell his interest in the job. If JD declines to take the spot, where else should the Rangers look? Names mentioned by Brooks originally included Mike Gillis, Kelly McCrimmon and Brandon Pridham. He added that neither Mark Messier nor Wayne Gretzky is believed to be a candidate, but Brian Leetch, Dave Maloney and Brad Richards are former players who could merit consideration for the post. Add in Chris Drury, who is already filling a management role in the organization, though he may not be ready for this task and I don't see GM Jeff Gorton filling both jobs. But one option is that Gorton could move up with Drury sliding in as GM. Jim Schoenfeld, also in the organization, could get consideration for the job.

My view is that McCrimmon and Pridham should get a major look see for the role. McCrimmon for his work in Vegas with George McPhee and Pridham due to his NHL background and time in Toronto. I could see Gillis also being in the mix and maybe the Rangers go younger, looking as was suggested on the blog, a further melding of analytics and old school thinking. Hiring someone with Rangers' connections because of those connections is the wrong way to go.

Yzerman is no longer an option, to whom does New York pivot?

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