Rangers Rookie Camp is expected to start this week, though you’d have a hard time knowing that if you’re a regular New York Rangers fan. Chris Drury and the Rangers apparently don’t think you want to know, and it’s probably true that the majority of fans have limited interest in this first week of camp.

Still, with the turmoil the team has gone through in the last two years, you’d think they’d want to try and build some momentum going into training camp – which almost certainly starts next week, not that anyone from the Rangers has provided any information on that either.

FAN DISENGAGEMENT

It’s a pattern of a behavior that has grown over the years, and reflects owner James Dolan’s distaste for losing control of the message. Things have accelerated under the stewardship of Chris Drury, who is happy to buy into the ivory tower theme. A culture of distrust and management control that came out into the open during the Artemi Panarin sexual harassment settlement last year.

Chris Drury has been widely documented to have had rocky relationships with players and staff and players alike. In addition, he is the most reclusive GM in the league, speakring to the media only on rare occasions – 3 to 4 times a year – and almost always through Zoom calls that last around 10-15 minutes. If you’re looking for in-person appearances, you might be better off playign the lottery. Maybe once a year you’ll get to see if he’s real, or just an AI simulation.

By contrast, someone like the Florida Panther’s Bill Zito typically appears 6-10 times a year and most of those are in-person conferences. You might have a better chance of seeing Drury at one of his Colony Grill locations than you would be at a Rangers presser.

TOP SECRET

Even when the media does get a chance, he responds in bland, non-committal terms that provide no insights. Combine that with his notable tight control of trade chatter around the organization, and you get an enterprise that is far better at controlling information than the current Pentagon leadership is.

It’s not surprising then, that the only REAL news we get comes from other teams, agents and from players themselves. Mostly when they become so frustrated themselves that they break the silence – react or let loose.

The overall behavior appears to be a reflection of the time we’re in right now. The rich and powerful have become increasingly disconnected with the public, and live in their own bubbles. The most important focus is maintaining control, and that the audience – or public, will just follow along regardless.

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

Twenty years ago and things were a lot different. The team would hold open practices during training camp in places like the University of Vermont. Fans could see live practices, watch as new members integrated into the team and get autographs.

Folks like Don Maloney and Drury’s predecessor Jeff Gorton, were only too happy to engage with the media. There were even direct conversations with the fans about the direction of the team. Today’s Rangers are a closed shop and likely would cut off all player engagement if they could.

JUST DARKNESS AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

In the short term there’s likely to be little change. Dolan has asserted a culture of obedience and isolation, punishing those who do now conform. There’s little motivation for him to change with the Rangers standing as the second most valuable franchise in the NHL. Even with the ceremonial appointment of his son and the impending spin-off the franchise he remains firmly in control.

His collaborator also looks safe in his position. He got a multi-year job extension last year, and maintains a strong relationship with the owner. Aside from another embarrassing episode or falling ticket sales, it’s hard to see Drury being removed.

And who would Dolan choose as his replacement anyway? Hardly someone who’s willing to stand up to him and chart a new course you’d think.

Unless fans stop showing up at MSG, or Dolan – the senior – really steps away…