Is there a disconnect between New York Rangers head coach David Quinn and his top players? Larry Brooks of the NY Post seems to think so. In his latest article he calls out what he believes is a “disagreement” by three specific players at the top of the offensive food chain and the coach.
Disconnect between David Quinn and New York Rangers top players
Close observers of the New York Rangers have heard David Quinn’s plea for the team to shoot more. This is not something new as fans have been screaming about the same for years. However, Brooks seems to think there is more going on here and it needs correcting. Specifically with what appears to be a clear disregard by Artemi Panarin, Ryan Strome, and Mika Zibanejad to the coach’s request to play less east/west hockey.
Here’s what I don’t get: Panarin, Zibanejad and Strome all had career seasons last year while playing for Quinn. So they certainly weren’t stifled. Something has changed. Maybe last season’s experience under the bubble in which the top players were stifled by Carolina changed the dynamic. Maybe Quinn became more insistent, maybe he became less patient with them. Maybe there is simply too much literal looking over the players’ shoulders.
NY Post
Brooks concludes that whatever the issue is, it needs to be rectified. Nothing written in his latest column is outlandish and he makes several good points. David Quinn has to work out a happy medium with his stars, but it is hard to argue with the numbers they’ve posted this year.
Does it lead to winning hockey games against teams like the Islanders though? No and that’s the problem. At the same time, Jeff Gorton needs to get the right mix in here on the bottom six, and David Quinn has to get his message across or it could be his job.
New York Rangers prospect update
Braden Schneider has finished his season and captained the Brandon Wheat Kings to the East Division Championship. His final stat line reads: 22 GP, 5-22-27, +18, 12 PIM
Matthew Robertson has one more game left to play on May 6th but already secured the Central Division Championship. His current stat line reads: 20 GP, 4-16-20, +22, 22 PIM
Nils Lundkvist played with Swedish National Team in the Nordic Cup last week as they prepare for the 2021 IIHF World Championship. He led all skaters with five shots and notched a +2 rating in 22:26 of ice against Denmark. They played Norway today and tomorrow next.
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