Quinn also worked as the head coach for the San Jose Sharks, and was instrumental with working with Erik Karlsson in San Jose winning the Norris Trophy in 2023.
Quinn will be replacing former coach Todd Reirden, who would oversee the Penguins powerplay and defenseman. Reirden was relieved of his duties on May 3rd after a horrendous season for the Pens PP unit.
David Quinn was let go in April after his second year behind the San Jose bench. The team began the 2023-24 season with a 11-game losing streak.
Sullivan and Quinn have ties together as friends and as teammates at Boston University from 1986-1988 and played a couple of times against each other as coaches for their respective teams when Quinn was head coach of the NY Rangers from 2018-2021. Both played, and learned, under the legendary Jack Parker at Boston University.
Back in November, Sullivan spoke about Quinn and why he is a good choice for San Jose.
Adding Quinn to help with the Penguins defense should only add to improving Karlsson and the Pens D on the blue line. Hopefully this will also begin a transition for the Penguins improvement on the PP unit as well which under Reirden finished 30th in the league.
As Read On: Pittsburgh Hockey Now -
Report: Penguins Hiring David Quinn; Joining Coaching Staff, Mike Sullivan
POLL | ||
JUIN 11 | 115 ANSWERS Penguins to hire former Rangers head coach to join Sullivan behind bench Do you think hiring David Quinn as the powerplay and defenseman coach will make an impact on the Penguins team? | ||
Yes | 71 | 61.7 % |
No | 44 | 38.3 % |
List of polls |