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New York Rangers: Four questions going into training camp

By Nicholas Zararis

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 07: Ivan Provorov #9 of the Philadelphia Flyers watches the puck enter the net for a first period goal over a fallen Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers on April 7, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 07: Ivan Provorov #9 of the Philadelphia Flyers watches the puck enter the net for a first period goal over a fallen Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers on April 7, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – JUNE 23: (l-r) New Jersey Devils coach John Hynes and New York Rangers coach David Quinn chat during the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 23, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – JUNE 23: (l-r) New Jersey Devils coach John Hynes and New York Rangers coach David Quinn chat during the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 23, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

How long will it take Quinn to adapt?

Coaching at an elite college hockey program like Boston University requires a quality track record. Years of work in the American Hockey League, stints with team USA’s World Junior Championship team and success as a player are a testament to David Quinn’s mind for the game of hockey. Although Quinn had to quit hockey due to being a hemophiliac, he has stuck around the hockey world a lot longer than most former players.

Making the jump from the NCAA to the pros is a rarity, prior to the Dallas Stars hiring Jim Montgomery, the last coach to make the jump straight from college was the legendary Herb Brooks in 1987. At Boston University, Quinn had cultivated some of the NHL’s most exciting young players like Jack Eichel, Charlie McAvoy and Clayton Keller.

Coaching in the pros is a totally different beast from college as managing personalities is more important. Boston University is one of college hockey’s premier programs, so it is not like Quinn does not have high pressure experience to draw upon. Quinn has a blank slate and a five year contract, meaning that the front office is willing to be patient and let talent cultivate over time.

The Rangers will likely struggle as a team and it will be up to Quinn to make sure that there are still lessons taken away from each and every game. As a young team, the player development is going to be the most important part of this season.

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