Rangers Extend GM Chris Drury's Contract Amid Fan Backlash

The New York Rangers have extended the contract of President and General Manager Chris Drury despite a disappointing 2024-25 season in which the team missed the playoffs after previously reaching the Eastern Conference Finals and winning the Presidents’ Trophy. The move has sparked significant backlash from fans and media, who cite Drury’s handling of player relations and controversial roster decisions as contributing factors to the team’s decline. Team owner James Dolan, however, expressed confidence in Drury’s leadership and work ethic, emphasizing his record of playoff appearances and overall franchise wins during his tenure. Drury acknowledged the disappointing season and accepted responsibility, pledging to guide the team toward future success. With head coach Peter Laviolette recently fired, Drury’s immediate task is to hire a new coach to help the Rangers rebound. Despite past achievements, many remain skeptical that extending Drury’s contract represents the right direction for the organization.