"Through the process of talking with them [Jeff and Chris], every time they said that this is something they were looking to do, instinctively I would say to myself that this is kind of my coaching DNA."
– #NYR Head Coach David Quinn pic.twitter.com/yYqXp4o7O5
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 24, 2018
As the days go on, it looks like the New York Rangers and newly hired David Quinn were really the perfect match for each other.
The New York Rangers’ coaching search was a long one. It ended this past Thursday with the introduction of David Quinn, and it couldn’t be a more perfect match.
Talking to the Associated Press, Quinn said that Rangers “a natural fit.” Natural in the fact that their roster consists of multiple players in their early to mid 20’s. Quinn has a reputation for working well with young players, and with a roster expected to feature a significant amount of them, it only feels right that he leads the team.
Quinn made it clear that he and Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton were on the same page throughout the interview process.
“Every time they said, ‘This is what we’re looking to do,’ I would say to myself, ‘I do that. That’s kind of my coaching DNA,'”
The Rangers are a team that over the years have had plenty of skill and speed. They got away from that last year, and look to be heading back in that direction. Quinn will look to bring that type of game back to the Garden ice. With it in his “coaching DNA” it only made sense that he would be given the opportunity to bring it out of the young Blueshirts.
Quinn has a connection with a couple of Ranger players that will help him make the transition to the NHL level a bit easier. Both Kevin Shattenkirk and Kevin Hayes have a connection to the 51-year-old head coach. Shattenkirk played for Quinn in the AHL, while Hayes was recruited by Quinn at Boston University.
As the offseason continues, Quinn will have to make out his coaching staff. He’ll most likely look for guys that have a similar mindset as him as well as others that might challenge him. One name to be on the lookout for could be Martin St. Louis, who has the ability and experience to connect with young players.
