New York Rangers: Quinn brings aggressive system from BU
The New York Rangers will enter the 2018-19 season with a new coach and a mountain of questions, including what style of play fans will see on the ice. To get a better idea, Blue Line Station took an in-depth look at how Quinn coached at Boston University.
Brand new New York Rangers head coach David Quinn was hired and immediately underwent the standard press tour, mostly touting his ability to develop young talent, connect with players on an individual basis, and coach an “up-tempo” style of hockey.
But “up-tempo” can mean different things in different situations. Indeed, Alain Vigneault preached a similar credo, and it led to a brief resurgence for speedy players like Michael Grabner.
Vigneault’s system was built around a hybrid zone/man-to-man defensive scheme that would easily transition into odd-man rushes on offense. The result was a high-scoring Rangers team that routinely produced high danger rush chances, but was more often pinned deep in the defensive zone while opponents possessed the puck.
Quinn’s style, as coached at Boston University, appeared to have many differences.
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Defensive collapse
As the New York Rangers are projected to ice next season, Quinn’s Boston University teams featured many offensive defensemen. The likes of David Farrance, Chad Krys, Charlie McAvoy, and even old Rangers’ prospect Ahti Oksanen saw time on the blue line for the Terriers.
Quinn’s defensive system appeared tailor-made to maximize the puck-moving and skating abilities of defensemen like these.
His forwards routinely activated down from the points to support net-front plays. It was not an uncommon sight to see four or even five Terriers players converging on the crease and goal line area.
This extremely aggressive scheme was high-risk/high-reward: if executed properly, it funneled opponents below the goal line and quickly smothered outlet options.
However, it also leaves opposing defensemen or wingers floating in the high slot wide open. Speed is crucial for the execution of this style of defense, as a failure to close passing lanes invites high danger chances against.
But when effective, it initiates quick breakouts. Defensemen who can handle the puck and skate it out of trouble find themselves with immediate passing options.
With all five players low in the defensive zone, it does two things. One, it sucks opposing players lower in the zone, trying to take advantage of the open ice in slot. And two, it gives the team opportunities for fast, cohesive breakouts as a team.
This system could be a springboard for some of the young, speedy Rangers defensemen. Brady Skjei already has a proven ability to get himself out of dangerous situations below the goal line and start breakouts, but the likes of Tony DeAngelo, John Gilmour, and Neal Pionk could thrive with more support down low.
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Offensive activation
Where Quinn’s Terriers were aggressive on the defensive end, they showed a similar amount of assertiveness through the neutral zone and into the offensive end.
Starting with low breakouts from the defensive zone, Quinn’s defensemen were encouraged to join the play. Thus, they attacked with numbers through the neutral zone. Once set up in the offensive zone, it was common for a defenseman to cut through the low slot with speed.
Quinn maximized his defensive talent by allowing them this freedom. His system opened up scoring chances whether the puck was going high-to-low or low-to-high.
It also gave Boston University a more diverse offensive profile: they could pick teams apart on the rush or establish a strong cycle and score from extended shifts in the zone.
In recent years, the Rangers became a notoriously one-dimensional offensive team, scoring a preponderance of their goals off the rush. A focus establishing zone time and using offensive skills from the points would be a breath of fresh air for a team with such young talents.
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Translating to the NHL
Quinn would surprise many if he brought his entire system, untouched, to the New York Rangers. He will no doubt be making adjustments for the NHL game, as the NCAA product is a little less balanced.
Despite that, he would be wise to implement many aspects of how Boston University played. As noted earlier, players like DeAngelo, Pionk, Gilmour, Skjei, and even Shattenkirk will benefit from a more freeing style of breakouts.
But it doesn’t stop there. The Rangers have several key players who could see improvements from the offensive side of such a system. Kevin Hayes, for instance, doesn’t have the straight-line speed to be a game-changer in Vigneault’s old system. But in Quinn’s, he could be an extremely effective playmaker on the cycle, finding defensemen pinching in from the point.
Similarly, Jimmy Vesey is a more prototypical power forward, built for board battles and net-front play.
On top of that, Quinn’s style inherently helps players develop. His system requires responsible and active play in all three zones, from all five players.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a young defenseman at the point or a scoring winger in the defensive zone. Every player is expected to read the play and activate at the proper moment.
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This system breeds a sense of responsibility across all four lines and three pairings. It’s the kind of style that can fast-track a rebuild and establish confidence for every player in the lineup.