Breaking: Davidson Set to Return to the Rangers

Once in awhile, you've got to hire a guy who's done the Hockey Sock Rock.  And according to the owner of the Cleveland Blue Jackets, he's been released from his CBJ contract to come back home. Of course John Davidson was a much beloved broadcaster before heading onto a third career as a team exec, but back in his first career, he got hot as the Ranger Goalie and, in 1979, they went to the finals. The 1979 Rangers hold a special place in a lot of hearts. By the mid 1970's the Rangers had traded off Brad Park, Jean Ratelle, and Rick Middleton to the Boston Bruins, where they hit the ground running, but it took the new Rangers like Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais till `79 to work their way into the hearts of Ranger fans and deep into the playoffs again.  Adding the Swedes and Don Maloney sure helped, too.  But JD was a big part of that team, and has always been one most lovable Rangers.

So what will this mean for the current set up.  In his comments today the owner of the Blue Jackets said the Rangers had sought and received permission to speak to JD. So the departure of Schoenfeld yesterday now looks like a product of those talks. And we'll have to see what happens.  The Rangers are post their organizational meetings and over at the World Championships, so there'll be scant time between their return and the NHL Combine, which leads to the draft and FA. So they probably discussed all off season plans with him.  Should be smooth sailing.

UPDATE: It's Official!