By: Lucky Ngamwajasat
Oh, Baby! John Davidson is coming home.
The Rangers officially named “JD” as the new team President.
OFFICIAL: John Davidson has been named #NYR President.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 17, 2019
Welcome home, JD. #NYR pic.twitter.com/xwHrKCygcY
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) May 17, 2019
Well known to Rangers fans as the goalie that backstopped the Blueshirts the Stanley Cup Final in 1979 and as a color analyst for MSG Networks, Davidson brings an impressive resume to the job. The 66-year-old was instrumental in the rebuilding of the St. Louis Blues when he took over the reins of the team in 2006, adding the likes of Vladimir Tarasenko and Alex Pietrangelo through the draft. Davidson also guided the Columbus Blue Jackets to their first playoff series win in franchise history earlier this year when he bolstered the roster with trades for Seth Jones and Artemi Panarin.
The reaction from experts and fans alike was overwhelmingly positive. Stan Fischler worked alongside JD here at MSG Networks and was full of praise for the new Rangers President.
How fortunate the @NYRangers are to have #JohnDavidson back with the club and in command. The #GlenSather-to-JD segue is as smooth as it gets. As a friend, no one better than John and as a hockey guy — de luxe!
— Stan Fischler (@StanFischler) May 17, 2019
Apart from @NYRangers #JohnDavidson‘s savvy, etc. to me the beauty part of this guy is that he’s always been a down-to-earth, unpretentious fellow. And it never hurt that he liked my jokes. (He was a darn good goalie until the injuries ended all that; and far too soon.)
— Stan Fischler (@StanFischler) May 17, 2019
Long-time Rangers fan Keith Olberman also endorsed the decision to bring Davidson back into the fold.
JD! JD! JD! The one and only correct choice to lead the Rangers returns home. He’ll improve it without subsuming Jeff Horton’s magnificent rebuild. Congrats to the NYR and thanks to my friend of 40 (gulp) years. #LGR https://t.co/Shc0Tui2iB
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) May 17, 2019
Blue Jackets fans also chimed in and wished nothing but the best for JD in his return to New York.
That time I met John Davidson at a fundraiser for a dog charity. Shook his hand, which was the size of a catcher’s mitt. No wonder he was a goalie! Good luck with the @NYRangers. Thanks for all you did for our @BlueJacketsNHL, the fans, dogs, and our great city of Columbus. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/ThuI82D4vX
— Kurt Ludlow (@KurtWSYX6) May 17, 2019
#CBJ owner John P. McConnell calls John Davidson’s chance to rejoin Rangers “an extraordinary circumstance for him and his family. “
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) May 17, 2019
