The New York Rangers have denied a request by the Minnesota Wild to interview assistant GM Chris Drury for their vacant GM position.
On Wednesday afternoon, Elliotte Friedman reported that the New York Rangers declined a request by the Minnesota Wild to interview assistant general manager Chris Drury for their vacant GM position.
On the MIN GM search — Wild were declined permission to speak to NYR AGM Chris Drury. It’s the second time a team has asked and been politely rebuffed (BUF).
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 7, 2019
The Wild have been searching for a general manager since they fired Paul Fenton last week. Fenton had been in the role for just one season.
Prior to his dismissal, he had signed former Ranger Mats Zuccarello to a five-year contract. Tom Kurvers is serving as interim GM until the organization hires a permanent replacement.
The Wild have already interviewed Carolina Hurricanes GM Don Waddell, Pittsburgh Penguins assistant GM Bill Guerin and former Philadelphia Flyers GM Ron Hextall.
Drury was hired as the Rangers director of player development in 2015, then promoted to assistant GM in 2016. A year later he was tabbed as the GM of the Hartford Wolf Pack and followed that up with a role with Team USA as the team’s GM for the World Championships this past May.
He has gained plenty of experience over the last four years. Normally, when an NHL team requests to interview an executive from another club, that request is granted.
In the case of Drury, this is the second time the Rangers passed on giving another team an opportunity to speak with him. Freidman also mentioned the Buffalo Sabres previously had requested to interview the 12-year NHL veteran.
