NEW YORK — The Rangers have fired president John Davidson and general manager Jeff Gorton, according to multiple reports, hours before Wednesday night's game against the Capitals.
The move comes a day after the team issued a scathing statement calling for the removal of NHL head of player safety George Parros after the Capitals' Tom Wilson was fined but not suspended for attacking three Rangers players and ending Artemi Panarin's season on Monday.
The firings reportedly were coincidental to the statement and not related to the Wilson saga, and that team ownership believed the Rangers underachieved this season. The Rangers are 26-21-6 and were eliminated from playoff contention with Monday night's loss.
Frank Seravalli of TSN Sports reported that Davidson and Gorton tried to distance themselves from the Rangers' statement and told other executives that they didn't know it was coming until after it was released.
Associate general manager Chris Drury will remain with the Rangers as president and GM, according to multiple reports, though it is unclear if the titles are interim or permanent.
