John Davidson resigned as president of hockey operations of the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday and is expected to be named to a similar post with the New York Rangers.
“The New York Rangers recently sought permission from our organization to speak with John Davidson about serving as their team president,” Columbus president Mike Priest said in a statement released Friday. “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.”
The Athletic reported Davidson will be introduced next week by the Rangers.
It would be a homecoming for Davidson, 66.
A goalie, he played 222 games over eight seasons (1975-83) for the Rangers, then spent 19 years as a color commentator for the Rangers and national networks before becoming the president of the St. Louis Blues in 2006. He joined Columbus in 2012.
The Blue Jackets were 285-209-46 in his time there and won at least 45 games in each of the past three seasons. They advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time this season, upsetting the No. 1 seed Tampa Bay Lightning in a series sweep.
“When we hired John Davidson in October 2012, I said I thought he was the perfect person to lead our hockey operations efforts,” Blue Jackets owner John P. McConnell said.
“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. … 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.”
–Field Level Media
