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New York Rangers rumor: Greg Brown to join coaching staff

By Nicholas Zararis

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 28: Associate Coach Greg Brown of the Boston College Eagles stands behind the bench as he fills-in for head coach Jerry York who is recovering from eye surgery during NCAA hockey against the Providence College Friars at Kelley Rink on October 28, 2016 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The Eagles won 3-1. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 28: Associate Coach Greg Brown of the Boston College Eagles stands behind the bench as he fills-in for head coach Jerry York who is recovering from eye surgery during NCAA hockey against the Providence College Friars at Kelley Rink on October 28, 2016 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The Eagles won 3-1. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) /
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CHESTNUT HILL, MA – OCTOBER 28: Associate Coach Greg Brown of the Boston College Eagles stands behind the bench as he fills-in for head coach Jerry York who is recovering from eye surgery during NCAA hockey against the Providence College Friars at Kelley Rink on October 28, 2016 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The Eagles won 3-1. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MA – OCTOBER 28: Associate Coach Greg Brown of the Boston College Eagles stands behind the bench as he fills-in for head coach Jerry York who is recovering from eye surgery during NCAA hockey against the Providence College Friars at Kelley Rink on October 28, 2016 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The Eagles won 3-1. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) /

The New York Rangers are continuing their remodel this offseason with the rumored addition of Greg Brown.

If nothing else, the New York Rangers are cornering the market on college hockey coaches from the city of Boston. After hiring David Quinn in late May, the team has been awfully quiet about the rest of the coaching staff. The team did confirm that both goaltending coach Benoit Allaire and defensive coach Lindy Ruff would be retained.

According to Jeff Cox of Northeast hockey journal, Boston College associate head coach Greg Brown will join Quinn’s staff.

Before coaching the Boston College Eagles, Brown had a brief 4 year stint in the NHL after being a second round pick in the 1986 NHL draft. The former captain of the Eagles rejoined his alma mater as an assistant coach for the 2004 season. Brown held an assistant coaching role with BC for eight seasons and then was named an associate coach for the 2012-2013 season.

This is just a rumor, but it would make sense that the Rangers would target someone that Quinn would be familiar with. As his crosstown rival at BC, Brown would make a lot of sense for a coaching job. Brown directly coached current Rangers Chris Kreider and Kevin Hayes at BC.

The fit

The only possible drawback of hiring Brown as a defensive assistant is his lack of NHL experience. Does having two first time coaches at the NHL level on the same staff cause too much of a leadership vacuum? As a young and unestablished team, the Rangers will need coaches that can mold the team into an eventual contender.

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In addition, Brown’s defensive specialty would be an overlap with current coaching staff member Lindy Ruff. Although Ruff’s defense was an abomination this past season, he is still supposed to be around for next season. If Ruff were to take another role within the organization, Brown could take over the job.

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