David Quinn return to the Metropolitan Division. According to Arthur Staple of The Athletic, the former New York Rangers coach is set to join the Pittsburgh Penguins as an assistant coach for the upcoming season, although the Penguins have yet to confirm this.
During his tenure with the Rangers from 2018 to 2021, Quinn navigated the challenging task of leading a team through a rebuilding phase. Despite the difficulties, his coaching saw the Rangers through significant transitions. Notably, during the 2019-20 season disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rangers faced a play-in tournament for the postseason but were defeated in three consecutive games by the Carolina Hurricanes.
Although the Rangers didn’t secure playoff berths in Quinn’s other two seasons, his influence is still evident in the current roster. Players like Adam Fox, Igor Shesterkin, Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko, and Ryan Lindgren were all under his guidance earlier in their careers in New York. After Quinn’s departure at the end of the 2020-21 season, the Rangers flourished under Gerard Gallant, winning 52 games in the regular season and making it to the Eastern Conference Final, ultimately losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.
David Quinn expected to rejoin Rangers division with Penguins
Quinn, who previously led the San Jose Sharks for two seasons, was let go after their dismal performance this year, ending up at the bottom of the NHL with a record of 19-54-9. The rebuilding situation in San Jose was even more challenging than the one he faced in New York, making it tough for him to achieve significant success.
Leaving the Sharks means Quinn misses the opportunity to coach Macklin Celebrini, who is anticipated to be chosen as the top pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and also attended Boston University, much like Quinn. According to ESPN broadcaster Sean McDonagh, Celebrini expressed disappointment at not being able to play under Quinn in the NHL.
Moving to Pittsburgh brings Quinn back together with Erik Karlsson, who thrived under Quinn’s coaching, winning the Norris Trophy during the 2022-23 season with the Sharks. Karlsson was traded to the Penguins last offseason.
In Pittsburgh, Quinn will also work alongside head coach Mike Sullivan, a former Rangers assistant and BU graduate who has led the Penguins to two Stanley Cup championships.
Returning to a division rival like the Penguins adds another intriguing dimension to the Rangers-Penguins matchups in the upcoming 2024-25 season.
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