David Quinn is set to reenter the Metropolitan Division, as reported by Arthur Staple of The Athletic. Quinn, the former head coach of the New York Rangers, is expected to join the Pittsburgh Penguins as an assistant coach for the upcoming season, although the Penguins have yet to officially confirm this report.
Quinn served as the head coach for the Rangers from 2018 to 2021, overseeing the team during a challenging rebuilding phase. In the 2019-20 season, which was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and concluded with a unique play-in tournament for the playoffs, Quinn’s Rangers were swiftly eliminated in three games by the Carolina Hurricanes. In his other two seasons, the Rangers did not qualify for the playoffs, resulting in a cumulative coaching record of 96 wins, 87 losses, and 25 overtime losses. Following his departure after the 2020-21 season, the Rangers, under new coach Gerard Gallant, achieved a notable turnaround with 52 regular-season wins and a deep playoff run, ultimately reaching the Eastern Conference Final where they were defeated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.
Quinn’s tenure with the Rangers left a significant mark on the current roster, having coached key players such as Adam Fox, Igor Shesterkin, Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko, and Ryan Lindgren during their formative years in New York.
After his stint with the Rangers, Quinn took on the role of head coach for the San Jose Sharks over the past two seasons. Unfortunately, his time with the Sharks was marked by considerable difficulties, as the team was deeply entrenched in a rebuilding phase. This past season, the Sharks finished last in the NHL with a dismal record of 19 wins, 54 losses, and 9 overtime losses, leading to Quinn’s dismissal. This outcome was arguably even more challenging than his experience in New York, given the extent of the rebuild required in San Jose.
In departing the Sharks, Quinn misses the opportunity to coach Macklin Celebrini, a highly anticipated talent expected to be selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Celebrini, like Quinn, is an alumnus of Boston University, and ESPN broadcaster Sean McDonagh noted that Celebrini was disappointed about missing the chance to play under Quinn in the NHL.
Quinn’s new role with the Penguins will reunite him with defenseman Erik Karlsson, who won the Norris Trophy while playing under Quinn during the 2022-23 season with the Sharks. Karlsson was traded to the Penguins in the last offseason, adding an interesting dynamic to Quinn’s new position. Additionally, Quinn will be working under head coach Mike Sullivan, a former assistant coach for the Rangers and a fellow Boston University graduate, who has led the Penguins to two Stanley Cup championships.
Quinn’s return to the Metropolitan Division, especially with a rival team like the Penguins, adds another intriguing layer to the Rangers-Penguins matchups in the 2024-25 season.
