In a candid conversation that marked his first independent media appearance regarding the Rangers and Knicks since January 2023, team owner James Dolan reaffirmed his confidence in Chris Drury, the president and general manager of the Rangers. During his guest spot on Craig Carton’s WFAN show on Monday, Dolan primarily discussed the Knicks but took time to address several pressing questions about the Rangers as well. When directly asked if he still held faith in Drury's abilities, Dolan responded with a decisive "yes."
"Chris Drury embodies the spirit of a competitor and a winner," Dolan emphasized. "He simply cannot accept losing."
The Rangers have faced a rocky start this season, currently holding a record of 20 wins, 18 losses, and 5 overtime losses, which places them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference in terms of point percentage. Acknowledging that these losses have affected both Drury and head coach Mike Sullivan, Dolan pointed out that they are in the process of instilling a new culture within the organization. "Transforming a culture doesn’t happen overnight," he explained.
Following the Rangers' failure to secure a playoff spot in the 2024-25 season, Dolan and Drury made the decision to part ways with former head coach Peter Laviolette. When discussing cultural issues within the team, Dolan remarked, "We believed a coaching change was necessary. The new coach focuses on culture and collaboration, along with team building. It’s going to take some time for Mike to establish himself fully."
Dolan further elaborated, "Last year's team lacked self-belief, which contributed to their struggles." After a particularly challenging 2024-25 season, he expressed his support for Drury by extending the general manager's contract. "Patience is crucial," Dolan advised during the interview.
Carton noted that Dolan isn’t typically known for his patience as an owner; however, Dolan countered this by stating, "As an owner, it’s essential to exercise patience. The management has laid out a plan, and my frustration arises when we deviate from that plan in pursuit of something flashy."
One significant challenge facing the Rangers this season has been their performance at home, where they currently hold a disappointing record of 5 wins, 10 losses, and 3 overtime losses at Madison Square Garden. "The team shows promise but seems to falter at critical moments," Dolan observed. "They struggle to rally themselves back into the game. Sometimes they succeed, and sometimes they don’t. They need to learn how to believe in their capabilities."
While Dolan emphasized his commitment to patience, he also expressed optimism about the team's chances for the playoffs. He highlighted a recent victory in the Winter Classic, where the Rangers triumphed over the Florida Panthers with a score of 5-1. "Don’t count my team out this year," he encouraged enthusiastically.
