James Dolan continues to support Chris Drury, the president and general manager of the Rangers, despite the team’s ongoing struggles this season, particularly with scoring.
In a recent interview on WFAN, Dolan was quick to affirm his confidence in Drury when asked about it. “Yes, that’s right,” he stated. “He and Mike Sullivan are bringing a new culture to the team, but it won’t change overnight. I’m patient.” This patience is especially notable given that Drury had just received a multi-year contract extension last April.
Dolan also mentioned that his views about Drury haven’t shifted. “Chris Drury is a winner and a competitor,” he remarked. “He earned it himself. He can’t stand losing. He’s probably not happy right now. I know he’s not happy right now, and neither is Mike.”
These sentiments come as the Rangers find themselves sitting in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division, tied for thirteenth in the Eastern Conference, and struggling with one of the poorest home records in the NHL.
“We’re not out of this situation,” Dolan said. “Culture doesn’t shift overnight.”
He emphasized the necessity for change after Sullivan took over as head coach, replacing Peter Laviolette. “The team has to come together,” Dolan indicated. “They have to believe in themselves. I think last year’s team lacked confidence, which made things tough.” This belief ultimately led to the hiring of Sullivan.
Dolan elaborated, stating, “We thought we needed a coaching change. This coach is a culture coach, a collaborator, a team builder. It’s going to take some time for Mike to get accustomed to that.”
As of now, results have been somewhat mixed. Before Monday’s game against Utah, the Rangers were noted for allowing fewer points per game than all but the St. Louis team, yet they were also struggling significantly at home, trailing only Vancouver in fewer home wins.
“It’s also a culture issue,” Dolan reflected regarding the lack of wins at Madison Square Garden. “They are playing well, but there are times when things fall apart, and they struggle to regain their momentum. They need to learn how to recover. As an owner, patience is crucial.”
