I have been a fan of the New York Rangers for a very long time. With that, I’ve grown used to the enigma that is Rangers owner James Dolan. When you want Dolan to do one thing, he does the other. When you want Dolan to do nothing, he does something. It can be very difficult to understand what Dolan’s next move is going to be, but I do feel I can predict Dolan’s next big move: The Rangers will fire Chris Drury at the end of the season.
You read that right. I will say it again. The Rangers will fire Chris Drury at the end of the season.
Now I understand you might be wondering why you should believe this random fan writer instead of the various reports saying Dolan loves Drury and doesn’t want to make a change? First, those making those reports are mouthpieces for what the organization wants you to hear. Second, those reporters have been awfully silent as the season has gotten increasingly disastrous.
Finally, those reporters haven’t cracked the code on what Dolan hates more than anything on this earth.
Embarrassment.
I’m not here to play psychologist, but if there’s a common thread in Dolan’s decision making (with the New York Knicks, too), it’s that when Dolan feels he’s getting embarrassed or being made to look silly, he makes a change. The Rangers are getting embarrassed, so the Rangers will fire Chris Drury. Make sense?
It’s why Dolan signed off on the first iteration of The Letter, trying to get ahead of those laughing at his team’s demise. It’s why he fired Jeff Gorton and David Quinn seemingly out of nowhere, despite all reports believing they were going to stick around a while longer. Remember, the second the Rangers faced the thought of being embarrassed by Tom Wilson’s antics, the team released a hilarious statement, then Dolan fired the brass.
There has never been much evidence stating that Dolan fired Gorton because he believed Gorton wasn’t good enough at his job. The team got embarrassed, Dolan made his move, buying the snake oil that Drury sold him instead of staying the course with a much more seasoned general manager.
Last season, when the Rangers suffered an embarrassing debacle of a year, Dolan signed off on firing a recently hired coach, giving up on a franchise legend, and plenty more. During years the Rangers are doing better, Dolan fades into the background, as he has little to no reason to get involved. It’s what good owners do: When the team is good, they don’t do anything. Dolan’s biggest weakness is his loyalty to people who aren’t good at their jobs, waiting until the point of embarrassment before making moves.
Now, the Rangers are getting embarrassed on a nightly basis. I would not call it hyperbole to claim they are the laughing stock of the NHL. Even if the Rangers get a top 3 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, it doesn’t erase empty seats, lowered ticket prices, a home record that would make the average hockey fan pass out, and the pesky “Fire Drury” chants that just won’t go away.
All of that is too much for Dolan to accept happening under his watch. Dolan will do what he always does, and make it clear he’s under control. The Rangers will fire Chris Drury at the end of the season, and we will be better off for it.