NHL Rumors: David Quinn with Bruins, and Barry Trotz back with Predators?
Anthony Scultore
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The coaching carousel has been spinning quickly in recent days making it a fun time for NHL Rumors.
Big splashes were made recently when the Philadelphia Flyers announced John Tortorella as their new head coach on Friday. Previously the buzz was all about Vegas Golden Knights scooping up Bruce Cassidy, who was shockingly fired by the Boston Bruins just a few days prior.
Which brings us to the question of whom the next coach of Bruins will be? For that, you have to first look at the subtle change in dynamics of the team.
NHL Rumors: David Quinn
There’s been rumblings that the Bruins may be looking to rebuild or retool their lineup with younger players. That speculation started with moving on from Zdeno Chara and will grow stronger if Partrice Bergeron opts to retire. Add to that the possibility David Pastrnak may be determined to get to unrestricted free agent status next summer, and the youth movement may just be the logical next step.
So who will lead this changing of the guard?
Massachusetts native David Quinn is considered the front-runner to take over for his hometown Bruins. According to Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic, he’s scheduled for an interview next week.
Correction: David Quinn was born in Cranston, RI
David Quinn is scheduled for an in-person interview for the Bruins coaching position next week, according to a source familiar with the situation. The native of Cranston, R.I., is considered one of the two leading candidates to replace Bruce Cassidy.
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The 55 year-old was head coach for Team USA at the Olympics, but his most recent NHL gig was with the New York Rangers, a team that announced a rebuild in 2018. Quinn was regarded as a top college head coach with Boston University with an ability to develop young players.
In three seasons with the Rangers, his record was 96-87-25 from 2018-19 to 2020-2021. He failed to make the playoffs in any of those years and was swept by the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 in the 2020 Return to Play Qualifying Round.
Quinn is eager to get back behind an NHL bench and considers his first job in New York a good learning experience.
Barry Trotz back with the Predators?
When Barry Trotz was unexpectedly let by the New York Islanders everyone from Long Island to Vancouver was stunned. Speculation was that Trotz had bigger aspirations beyond being a head coach.
On Friday, a news report broke that the Nashville Predators were being sold. That’s the team Trotz cemented his reputation as one of the NHL’s top coaches. spending 15 years in that city.
“What we’re told is that Barry Trotz, his intention is to make his decision on his NHL future around July 1st and he’s indicated that to a few teams,” Pierre LeBrun said on TSN’s Insider Trading. “But we’re also told that he has chatted with his old NHL club, the Nashville Predators, about a potential management role with the organization, which has always kind of been rumored about Barry Trotz.”
The Predators extended head coach John Hynes for two more years back in May.
Trotz, 59, has interviewed with many teams including the Flyers, Red Wings, and Golden Knights. However, it’s his hometown Winnipeg Jets that remains the most rumored landing spot.
For his coaching career, Trotz has a record of 914-670-60-168 over the course of 23 years. He won the Stanley Cup in 2017-2018 with the Washington Capitals.
