During the 1986-87 season, legendary Boston University coach Jack Parker presided over a Terriers team laced with future connections to the Penguins. Leading scorer John Cullen would go on to tally 94 points for the black and gold in 1990-91 before serving as a focal point in arguably the most impactful trade in franchise history.
Speedy forward Scott Young provided depth for our ’91 Cup winners and went on to score 40 goals for the Blues in ’00-01. Forward Clark Donatelli coached the Wheeling Nailers and later the Baby Pens for a combined eight seasons. Freshman center Mike Sullivan would, of course, guide us to back-to-back Stanley Cups.
Add another name to the list. The Pens have hired David Quinn, a key defenseman from that Terriers squad, as an assistant to Sullivan, in the process filling Todd Reirden’s slot on the black-and-gold bench.
If we were going to stick with Sullivan as our head coach, a foregone conclusion given ownership’s high opinion of the Pens’ skipper (not to mention the term remaining on his contract), then hiring Quinn makes perfect sense on a number of levels.
It certainly doesn’t hurt to have coaches who are simpatico. By all accounts Sullivan and Quinn are good friends who hold each other in high esteem. I’d imagine they’re also very much on the same page regarding their favored systems and style of play.
Just an observation, one from an admittedly great distance. But I’ve never sensed Sullivan had the same connection to more recent assistants such as Mark Recchi as he enjoyed with Rick Tocchet, who served as an integral part of the staff (and buffer) on those Cup winners.
I’d imagine he and Quinn will have a chance to develop excellent behind-the-bench chemistry, given their relationship and the fact that both are Parker disciples.
Too, the 57-year-old Quinn has plenty of coaching props in his own right. He was head coach of the AHL’s Lake Erie Monsters from ’09-12. From ’13-18 he was head coach at BU. After coaching the Rangers for three seasons (’18-21), he piloted the Sharks the past two seasons.
Although he’s only registered two .500-plus seasons out of five at the big-league level, the Rangers were in the process of retooling and the hapless Sharks were built to tank.
Quinn’s regarded as a good X’s and O’s man and a good teacher. It’s interesting to note the Rangers’ Adam Fox and current Pen Erik Karlsson each won a Norris Trophy under his watch.
Hopefully, the Cranston, Rhode Island native will have a positive impact on our present defense, which includes kids like Jack St. Ivany, John Ludvig and former first-rounder Owen Pickering.
Maybe our much (and deservedly maligned) power play as well.
Hey Rick,
When I first heard the rumors that the Penguins were looking at Quinn to replace Reirden, I immediately believed them. DQ is a testament to what is going south on this team. We are getting dangerously close to approximating a coaching staff that would in all intents and purposes be having a Pierre Creamer clone being assisted by a Lou Angotti clone running this team.
Okay, that may be an exaggeration (to make a point), but without Crosby-Malkin-Letang, in Boston, Sullivan’s record was 0.543% and Quinn’s Career record between NYR and SJS as a HC is 0..453%
Needless to say, the almost nepotistic hiring of Quinn does raise my expectation level for next season; looks more like doubling down again on failed policies.
Sorry doesn’t raise my expectation level
Hey Other Rick,
I certainly can appreciate your take on things. Ideally, I would like to have seen us make a fresh start with a new coach and approach.
However, given that ownership and management seem firmly behind Sullivan, I like the hiring. Having a close friend and confidant on hand might create some synergy along with a renewed energy and enthusiasm behind our bench that could spread to the players.
I’ll stand behind my comment regarding Quinn’s NHL coaching record. His first Rangers team had Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider and Pavel Buchnevich, and that was about it. Yet they still finished only four games below break-even. His next team…with Artemi Panarin on board…was nine games over .500 during the Covid season.
And it does sound like he’s got a bit of a Midas touch with defensemen. Not only did Fox and Karlsson thrive under him, but apparently journeyman Jaycob Megna made considerable strides under his tutelage as well. That’s 6’6″, 220-pound UFA-to-be Jaycob Megna.
Rick
What did Jake say in the Blues Brothers? “No I didn’t. Honest! I ran outta gas. I had a flat tire. I didn’t have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn’t come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from outta town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake, a terrible flood, locusts! It wasn’t my fault! I swear to God!”
The team that loses is all ways making excuses for the loss. It is never anyone’s fault.
Karlsson did put up 101 pnts under Quinn but the team only won 22 Games. And should this team ends up out of the playoffs (AGAIN), what will be the next in the endless series of excuses; who will be blamed next, Locust? Act of God?