NHL Rumors: Rangers looking for new coach, updates on Hurricanes Rod Brind’Amour and Canucks Travis Green
Anthony Scultore
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The New York Rangers are probably looking for a new coach. When it comes to David Quinn’s future, Chris Drury refused to discuss his fate publicly in his intro presser yesterday. He also did not give him any vote of confidence, which is never a good sign after such sweeping changes. However, what owner James Dolan told the Post all but confirms that Quinn will be dismissed this summer.
Rangers looking for new coach
“I started thinking about it 20 or 25 games ago at a time when the team really needed to show heart and we had key games — I won’t be specific — where we had to show up and had to come out strong, and even if we lost, it had to be our best effort,” Dolan said. “And we clearly had nowhere close to our best effort.”
NY Post
Before the Rangers went on a run that coincided with David Quinn going on COVID protocol on March 17th, they had a span where they picked up only three points in five games. Two losses to Pittsburgh, one to Boston, and an OT loss to the Flyers.
That inconsistency, followed by a stretch of inspired hockey once Chris Drury got behind the bench with Kris Knoblauch seems to be the triggering point for Dolan looking to make a change. So as the season comes to a close on Saturday, it is very likely that David Quinn will be coaching his final game for the Rangers.
Who will Drury look at? There will be a number of highly qualified candidates available this offseason. Gerard Gallant comes to mind as does Claude Julien. Could there be a possible reunion with John Tortorella on the horizon? Chris Drury knows Torts well having played for him in New York from 2008 until his retirement in 2011 where he served as captain.
Latest on Rod Brind’Amour and Travis Green extension
On the newest edition of TSN Insider Trading, both Pierre LeBrun and Darren Dreger provided respective update to Travis Green and Rod Brind’Amour. Both coach will are on expiring contracts and there’s some question on if they will return.
Travis Green: LeBrun is noting that so far the Canucks have not put an offer on the table. This is despite a vote of confidence from the owner several months back. This could be a money issue as Green is one of the least paid coaches in the NHL.
Rod Brind’Amour: For all the recent hoopla surrounding Brind’Amour, Dreger believes a new deal will be done before the post-season begins.