Rangers fire GM Jeff Gorton, president John Davidson

The New York Rangers fired general manager Jeff Gorton and president John Davidson, the team announced Wednesday.

Chris Drury, who was previously the associate general manager, will take over both roles effective immediately.

"We want to thank JD and Jeff for their contributions to the organization. They are both great hockey professionals who worked hard for the Rangers. However, in order for the team to succeed in the manner our fans deserve, there needs to be a change in leadership," James Dolan, executive chairman of MSG Sports, said in a statement. "Chris is a very sought-after executive and a strong leader who has proven himself to be one of the top young minds in hockey. We are confident he will effectively guide the team to ensure the long-term success we promised Rangers fans."

The decision comes one day after a statement from the Rangers slammed the NHL and Department of Player Safety head George Parros over not suspending Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson for his role in a skirmish Monday night.

The Rangers are 14th in the NHL with a 26-21-6 record but have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs in a deep East Division. Their 58 points would have the team in a postseason position in both the North and West and just two points back in the Central.

New York hired Gorton as general manager in 2015 with the club's championship window beginning to close. The Rangers made the playoffs the next two seasons, but the team issued a letter to fans outlining plans for a full-scale rebuild in 2018.

The Rangers brought Davidson aboard as president in May 2019.

Under their guidance, the club brought in perennial MVP candidate Artemi Panarin in free agency and drafted Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko first and second overall, respectively. New York also boasts one of the NHL's deepest prospect systems.