Why do New York Rangers fans dislike David Quinn?

David Quinn, Head Coach of the New York Rangers has been the subject of many a fan’s distaste. The team got off to a rough start at the beginning of the season, but righted the ship before back to back games against the Bruins halted their roll. The team’s defensive play is light years better than it was last year and its young players have and are getting quality ice time. If anything, the struggles of the Rangers star players and leadership core are what’s holding it back from exceeding expectations.

Why then does David Quinn receive such harsh criticism following every game? In truth, it is because our perceptions become our reality. There is a belief that Quinn does not dole out ice time to his young players, that he is not developing them appropriately. A belief that just tossing a player on the ice is the best way to develop them. While this may be the perception and may hold some truth on a this game, or that game basis, it is not the overall reality.

Here’s what the coach had to say, early in his tenure with the team, regarding his development philosophy

"Development is funny. Some people think that development is to throw a guy out there and let him play and let him play. But development getting experience and ice time, but it’s also learning what we’re going to need big picture, too. Filip Chytil went through a stretch where he was playing 10 minutes a night because that’s what he deserved. You don’t just give somebody something."