When New York Rangers fans heard that David Quinn would be returning to the organization as assistant coach, they were not overly excited. Many have negative opinions of Quinn due to his shortcomings as the Rangers' head coach. In his three years behind the bench, he had a record of 96-87-25 and only played the playoffs once. However, they only made the playoffs due to the expanded playoffs because of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that series against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Blueshirts failed to win a game.
But just because Quinn was unable to find success during his tenure as head coach doesn't mean he'll struggle as an assistant coach. In fact, this is a golden opportunity for Quinn to redeem himself in the eyes of Rangers fans. While this will not be an easy task, here's what it'll take for Quinn to stop being seen as a villain.
How David Quinn can regain the respect of Rangers fans
There have been plenty of examples of coaches who struggle as head coaches but excel as assistants. Whether for one reason or another, some guys aren't able to handle the pressure and responsibilities that come with being an NHL head coach. However, they're able to perform well when they only focus on one or a couple of different aspects of the game.
Quinn fits this description perfectly. While he's struggled in the multiple opportunities he's had as a head coach, he's always excelled when it comes to running the power play. This past season, he helped the Pittsburgh Penguins' power play score on 25.8% of opportunities, good enough for sixth best in the NHL. The Pens' power-play also scored 57 goals, good for seventh in the league.
He also designed the power play strategy that helped the Rangers reach two Eastern Conference finals in three years.
I like David Quinn and he created the power play that carried NYR (along with Igor) to two ECF's after he left and the next two coaches refused to change it. pic.twitter.com/PukfQiJXoK
— Ryan Mead (@OhRyanMead) June 5, 2025
But this past year, the Rangers' power play unit was one of the worst in the league. They had a power play percentage of 17.6, 28th in the league, and scored 37 goals on the man advantage, 26th in the league. If Quinn can turn the Rangers' power play back into a top-ten unit, it will help them return to the playoffs.
Another way Quinn can redeem himself in the eyes of Rangers fans is to help some of the struggling veterans return to form. The biggest one being Mika Zibanejad. Even though the Rangers as a whole struggled under Quinn, Zibanejad put up some of his best seasons. In Quinn's first season, Zibanejad had his breakout season, racking up 30 goals and 44 assists for 74 points. Even during the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season, Zibanejad was able to tally 75 points in 57 games.
To say Zibanejad left a lot to be desired last season would be an understatement. He is one of the main players fans blamed for the Rangers' decline and failure to make the playoffs. He only recorded 62 points last season, a ten-point drop from the previous season. If Quinn can get Zibanejad back to the player he was three years ago, that will help the Rangers a lot. It will give the Rangers another quality top-six player and help the team become much more formidable.
Although all the focus on the coach staff will be on what Mike Sullivan can do, Quinn's redemption arc will be a nice side story. It could be one of the unsung heroes of Sullivan's tenure as a Rangers bench boss.