'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
NY Rangers made drastic changes to players-employee interactions after PR member's firing for having dinner with team member: Report
The New York Rangers' recent lack of form can not only be attributed to just on-field performances but also to internal issues within the organization. A recent report published on louda-dot-com, a subsidiary of USA Today, on Dec. 19, highlighted the team's internal problems, stemming from certain directives from the higher-ups.
The report describes an incident in which a PR employee was fired by the MSG Co., the owners of the New York Rangers and their affiliates because they went on a dinner with one of the players ahead of a media event in the offseason.
The firing was also followed by a letter that was signed by Knicks president Leon Rose and MSG COO Jamaal Lesane and Rangers General Manager Chris Drury that asked for proper behavior from its employees. It also stated that any leave of absence had to be mandated by either of the Vice Presidents of the organizations.
The most irate element in the letter demanded all employees to keep their distance from the players and coaches.
“Interactions between employees and players or coaches must be strictly limited except as necessary to satisfy the requirements of an employee’s role,” it read.
The admissions in the report have been published anonymously as requested by the members of the Rangers organization who asked to keep it that way. Further instances also brought to light a certain 'big brother' attitude that has crept in especially in the Rangers setup after Drury took charge in 2021.
Chris Drury could keep his job despite losing the team's trust
After the memo was drafted and personally sent to all employees, there were boycotts of the team's subsequent functions. Furthermore, the team's poor form can be tied to the lack of trust in the management, even among the players.
However, the report highlighted that despite rumors circulating about Drury's potential replacement as coach of the Rangers, nothing is likely to come of it, as he has gained the trust and support of owner James Dolan.
If not Drury, the next person in line to be blamed for the team's results would be coach Peter Laviolette. However, New York may not choose to fire their coach, as they did with Gerrard Galland. Drury and Laviolette share a much better relationship and currently, the team is looking for a quick fix to halt their downward spiral.
Having lost 11 of their last 14 games, the 2024 President's Trophy winners are still not out of contention. They have a 15-15-1 record and sit sixth in the Metropolitan Divison standings.
Trending
