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Why do New York Rangers fans dislike David Quinn?

By Jason Katinas

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: David Quinn of the New York Rangers handles bench duties against the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden on September 19, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: David Quinn of the New York Rangers handles bench duties against the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden on September 19, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Head coach David Quinn of the New York Rangers handles bench duties against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Head coach David Quinn of the New York Rangers handles bench duties against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Is every New York Ranger getting their fair share?

Last season the rookie defense pairing of Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren received the most ice time of any defensive pairing deployed at even strength. This is a trend that has continued into this season with the pairing again receiving the most even strength ice time. They are followed closely behind by the pairing of Jacob Trouba and K’Andre Miller. Which is to say that three of the Rangers top four defenseman are comprised of two second year players and a rookie.

Up front, Filip Chytil has had his troubles, as noted in the coaches quote, but also by noting that he started last season in Hartford. Yet, all said, Chytil finished last season seventh among Rangers forwards in even strength ice time while playing in only 60 of the teams 70 games. This season, before suffering an upper body injury, Chytil’s even strength ice time was trending upwards. In his four games prior to the injury, Chytil was fifth among all forwards, playing just 16 seconds fewer than Mika Zibanejad at even strength.

The Rangers top picks over the last two drafts have also been logging significant ice time. Through the team’s first 13 games, Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko rank sixth and seventh among all forwards at even strength ice-time, with Kakko missing one game due to COVID-19 protocols. In fact, Kakko led all forwards in even strength ice time against the Boston Bruins on Friday night, logging nearly 15 minutes.

However, as much evidence as can be researched, many fans will only point to where Quinn has not played the youngsters. Over the last two games, the focus has been on the ice time provided to Julien Gauthier. Gauthier scored a goal in the first of the Bruins games and on several occasions used his size and speed during the second. Yet, he received less than 14 minutes at even strength between the two games combined.

Why? Gauthier is a right wing, and slots behind Pavel Buchnevich and Kakko in the Rangers current top six. in the second game he also slotted behind Colin Blackwell playing right wing on the third line. Blackwell had a good possession game, registering a positive Corsi For of 53.85% with two shots on goal. Gauthier registered a negative Corsi For of 45.45% with one shot on goal. Additionally, match-ups against the Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci lines would limit the coach from deploying his fourth line.

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