Who will Chris Drury tab as New York Rangers Assistant General Manager
The promotion of Chris Drury to President and General Manager has left two holes to fill. One being the role of Hartford Wolf Pack GM, the other Assistant GM to the New York Rangers. As of right now, Drury’s focus is on hiring the rest of Gerard Gallant’s coaching staff which should be taken care of within the next few weeks.
When it comes to an Assistant GM, the organization will want that in place well before the NHL Entry Draft on July 23rd. As for possible candidates – good luck getting anything out of the steel trap of secrecy that is Chris Drury.
Here are three candidates I believe could be in the mix.
Rangers Assistant GM candidate: Kevin Weekes
NHL Network analyst Kevin Weekes is one of the brightest minds in the game today. He has been sought for interviews by teams like the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins. There’s also been some talk that he could land with old teammate Chris Drury in New York.
I would look at Kevin Weekes for a lot of reasons beginning with the fact that Weekes has a lot of the same background, career path and people skills that made Davidson so effective. Davidson played goal in the NHL, eventually moved into the broadcast booth once his playing career ended and then got his first front office position in St. Louis… Like Davidson, Weekes also has great charisma — an important asset nowadays in any organizational leader. Weekes was in the running for the job in Pittsburgh that eventually fell to Burke. Plus he played for both the Rangers and Devils at the end of his career.
The Athletic
Credit where it is due, this is a fantastic idea from Duhatschek. Although he believes Weekes would be a fit as President, I think he’d be more influential to the team’s success as an assistant GM for now. If Drury were to bring in Weekes, it would be the joining of two of the brightest minds in the game today.
Mathieu Darche
Former NHL forward Mathieu Darche has been Tampa Bay’s Director of Hockey Operations since 2019. He retired from playing in 2013 as a member of the Lightning. The 44 year-old is an up and coming star in the executive ranks, much like Chris Drury.
During the 2012 lockout, Darche played a role for the NHLPA’s negotiating team to get a new CBA. That’s where he garnered the skills to help current Lightning GM Julien BriseBois with managing the cap and contract negotiations.
“He’s got phenomenal people skills and a really good head for management,” BriseBois said. “Just one of those guys that’s a natural leader. He was the perfect fit for the job.”
The Athletic
Darche would represent an outside the organization candidate that could bring in some new ideas. He has been an integral part of the NHL’s most successful franchise over the last several years. He will certainly have a list of suitors if Tampa agrees to let him interview for any other position.
Pat Boller
If the Rangers want to promote from within, Pat Boller has been with the organization for 12 years. He was an assistant coach with the Wolf Pack before becoming the assistant GM in the 2012-13 season. The 48 year-old worked with Drury to help turn Hartford around so there’s familiarity there.
Of course, Drury could simply promote him up to be Hartford’s full time GM, but he should at least be given some consideration.
NHL Rumors
What will the fallout out be now for the Golden Knights? And what the Sabres need to do in order to trade Jack Eichel. Read it all here.
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