I'm not saying JD should've been fired, he shouldn't have been, but I think Jeff Gorton got a rawer deal than JD. Was he perfect, no (who is, as a GM?), and he'll get a new job in hockey in the not-too-distant future.
He got approval for what he wanted to do, but he helped put the plan in place that has led the Rangers to the upcoming path they're one. Yes, they got lucky with the draft lottery, but I think he still had a plan that would lead to (hopefully) a long term and sustainable contender.
I wish JD well with the Blue Jackets, the move by their fans seems to be held in high regard.
Yeah, I mean, when I talk about "getting a raw deal" or not, what I'm saying is both guys walk away from this with all their esteem, their earned respect, their contracts, all that stuff intact. No one around the league thinks any less of these guys, and the reality is by hitting the open market they may end up with an even more desirable or lucrative position. Maybe Gorton lands expanded responsibilities or something. JD landed on his feet right back at a place he obviously loved. The two of them are fine--they've suffered basically no loss from this (outside, of course, the initial emotions over being kicked to the curb).
There's a chance that this works out really well for Davidson, Gorton, Drury, and others in the organizations involved. I mean I wouldn't have handled the situation this way, not at all, but there's a distinct possibility it could be a positive point for all. I mean Dolan could become Knicks Dolan and we could go back to the dark ages, that's a realistic possibility, too, but I don't feel like that's what's happening.
I wish JD, who I never really warmed to in his role, nothing but the best. Same for Gorton.
