Penguins Hire Quinn: Strengthen BU Connection

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.