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New York Rangers: Is David Quinn actually a developmental coach?

By Alex Csedrik

David Quinn of the New York Rangers .(Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
David Quinn of the New York Rangers .(Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 10: Pavel Buchnevich #89 of the New York Rangers lines up for a face-off during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 10, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 10: Pavel Buchnevich #89 of the New York Rangers lines up for a face-off during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 10, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Mixed results

There are several players the jury is still out on, none more than Pavel Buchnevich. Buchnevich may be one of the Rangers who was the most unlucky when it came to the pause of the season because of COVID-19. Before the All-Star break, Buchnevich had 26 points. However, after the break, he averaged a point-per-game for 20 points in 20 games. He showed that he could build off his 2018-2019’s career-high 21 goals by setting a new career high with 46 points this year. The only question is, how many points would/will he finish with this season?

In Buchnevich’s case, he’s showing he’s poised to break out, but currently he’s only had modest improvements. His goal total from 2017-2018 (14) rose by seven goals (21 total) in 2018-2019. His career-high point total (46 this season so far) is only three points higher than his 2017-2018 season under Alain Vigneault (43).

So, we still don’t know what to expect from Buchnevich as a player, and if Quinn was the one to unlock his potential.

Similarly, Filip Chytil is a mixed case. In his rookie year in 2018-2019, he had the following stat line: 75 games, 11 goals, 12 assists, 23 points total.  This year, his totals look similar in fewer games: 60 games, 14 goals, nine assists, 23 points total. Again, despite Quinn being labeled as a developmental coach, he rarely deployed Chytil into a top-six role to track his progress. If he had, the Rangers may have a firmer grasp of how Chytil’s development projects.  Instead, they still have an enigma in Chytil, and it may force them to resign Strome to a contract they may regret.

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