from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

Regarding the Rangers, into Day Three of this week’s organizational meetings pending the anticipated inauguration of John Davidson that most surely will be the biggest one ever:

JD: It has long been believed Davidson’s contract with Columbus includes a clause that allows him to leave if offered the Rangers’ presidency. The official request is expected in short order following the Blue Jackets’ second-round elimination on Monday. Barring a dramatic, unforeseen development, it should not be long before one of the most popular individuals in recent franchise history returns to New York at the top of the directory....

To that end, no one will be able to give general manager Jeff Gorton and the Rangers a better read than Davidson on pending unrestricted free agent Artemi Panarin, who had 87 points (28 goals, 59 assists) for Columbus. Of course, the Blueshirts will be in on the 27-year-old elite offensive talent, but at what price and for how long in an expected bidding war with the no-state tax Panthers and perhaps the Islanders and Blackhawks? The front office will at least be as educated as possible in making those determinations.

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