“To me, it’s about creating trust. When a player knows you care about him, they’ll trust you.” #NYR Head Coach David Quinn. pic.twitter.com/cv1OUiRD7l
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 13, 2018
New York Rangers training camp is officially here as the newly hired David Quinn met the media for the first time this season.
The 2018-19 season has a different feel to it for the New York Rangers and first-year head coach David Quinn.
Quinn met the media for the first time since his introductory press conference as the team starts to come back together for training camp. If there was one thing that Quinn emphasized, it was that winning is going to be a group effort.
“We’ve got to do this together. This is a ‘we’ thing.” David Quinn shares the message he'll deliver to #NYR tomorrow when #NYRTC opens up. pic.twitter.com/Hg9OUuUlS9
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 13, 2018
Too many times last season we saw former head coach Alain Vigneault call out certain players to the media. Vigneault had no problem voicing his displeasure about the play of Henrik Lundqvist, J.T. Miller, Pavel Buchnevich and many others. It looks like that won’t be the case under Quinn, especially if this is truly going to be “a we thing.”
We also learned what exactly Quinn will be looking for from his team this season.
Quinn's message to #NYR beginning tomorrow: “I want to talk about getting better on a daily basis … We want to be a fast, physical and relentless team.”
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 13, 2018
Throughout the last few years it never really looked like the Blueshirts’ were improving throughout the season. Quinn will be looking to get back to that this year and the years to come. He also mentioned how he sees his team playing, “fast, physical, relentless.” The Blueshirts have gotten away from the physical side of the game the last couple of years, but look to be heading back in that direction. The acquisitions of Adam McQuaid and the return of Cody McLeod should help Quinn get the Rangers’ physical presence back.
The team has remained captainless after the team traded away Ryan McDonagh at last season’s trade deadline. Quinn does not have anyone in particular in mind and admits that it will take some time.
Quinn, in more detail, on his captain(s): "I think a captain usually emerges from a group, especially when there’s been a coaching change… I think the captaincy will take care of itself, one way or the other."
— Colin Stephenson (@ColinASteph) September 13, 2018
Veterans like Marc Staal, Chris Kreider, Mats Zuccarello, Kevin Shattenkirk are all expected to be in the running for the team captaincy. Staal, Kreider, and Zuccarello have all served as alternate captains under Vigneault.
It is no secret that there will be competition in camp this season, and Quinn has embraced that.
Quinn on battles for spots in the roster. “I think it’s a great thing. There’s nothing like competition. There’s obviously spots open. Good play will reward further play.” #NYR
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 13, 2018
The expectation is that there are open spots on the Rangers blueline as well as the center ice position. It looks to only be seven available spots, but there are 14 players fighting for those positions respectfully.
Despite all of the change, one thing is still the same. Quinn and the Blueshirts want to win.
The expectations? “We want to win every hockey game.”
— Colin Stephenson (@ColinASteph) September 13, 2018
It might be more difficult than it has in the past, but winning still remains the goal for the Rangers. And after all, how can you expect to inject a winning culture in a young team if you don’t go out there and win games?
Quinn also noted that trust and caring about the player is also an important part to right the ship here in New York. That all begins Sept. 14 as on-ice sessions start up, and the Blueshirts first preseason contest is on Sept. 17 against New Jersey.
