How Rangers are already buying in to David Quinn’s expectations

Click:Glass candle container

The message coming from David Quinn’s Rangers is loud and clear — they may not be the most talented team in the league, but they are going to bring the effort every night. If not, accountability is the first priority.

“That’s what [the media] and the fans are going to notice, the biggest difference is every guy is going balls out,” Kevin Hayes told The Post after Friday’s practice. “And if they’re not, they’re going to get exposed. If not on the ice, then when you show up to practice. Which is a good style for the rebuild.”

Yes, these Rangers are rebuilding. They are not expected to win every night, and they aren’t going to. That was especially the case in the season opener Thursday night at the Garden, where they managed to hang with the reigning Presidents’ Trophy-winning Predators before losing 3-2. Those expectations might change a little bit when they travel to Buffalo for Saturday night’s opening road game against the improved Sabres, followed quickly Sunday with a game in Raleigh, N.C.

But Quinn’s Rangers are expected to give absolutely maximum effort all the time, something the first-year NHL headman has said is “non-negotiable.” And if that sounds like regular coach speak, it sure doesn’t feel like it, either in the locker room or when Quinn speaks publicly. Even when he was asked Friday if he had to change the way he holds players accountable coming from college to the NHL, Quinn let out a quiet chuckle.

see also

Rangers showed signs of playing David Quinn hockey

The last time the Rangers had a head coach making…

“No,” he said, struggling even to elaborate. “This is life. You have to be held accountable.”

Maybe Hayes’ new line, with fellow Bostonian Jimmy Vesey and the spark-plug Norwegian Mats Zuccarello, is an example of how these Rangers are changing. All three players have been thought of as skill guys, yet all three played a straightforward game against Nashville. They were rewarded by being the Rangers’ best line all night, as Vesey couldn’t convert on two glorious chances and Zuccarello was denied by Pekka Rinne three different times with chances on the doorstep.

“Us three, we’re pretty close off the ice,” Hayes said. “We haven’t played with each other a lot — ever, last year. It’s a lot easier. It’s like you’re talking to your family [compared] to when you first meet your girlfriend’s or wife’s family. You’re not going to be the same person in front of them. For us, it’s a lot easier to jell right away together.”

Vesey was especially good, coming off a lackluster preseason to put four shots on goal while forechecking with passion. The third-year pro out of Harvard is seemingly at a crossroads in his career, where he either steps up or fades away. It’s just one game, but right now, the 25-year-old looks to be stepping up.

“One of things I’ve talked about with him is he fights confidence,” Quinn said. “I thought one of our responsibilities during preseason was to allow him play to through some tough times. There’s a great player in there, and he has to believe it. He’s got five coaches and management that believe it, and we’ve got to get him to believe it to the level that we do. Once that happens, good things are going to happen for him and for us.”

Speaking of changes, Hayes was the player who actually led the Rangers in hits, notching all four of his body checks in the opening 40 minutes. Hayes had 195 hits combined in his first four years in the league, good for 0.63 per game. He said it isn’t a change in his mentality but a result of the way Quinn wants him — and the team — to play.

“I’m not entering games trying to be physical, but I feel like I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in, skating fast,” the 26-year-old Hayes said. “I think it’s just more the style [Quinn] wants, as a team, and he wants me individually playing. More in-your-face, quicker steps.

“Right away, take three hard strides before you do anything. It’s different, for sure.”

These Rangers are different, for sure, and they’re set to play in Quinn’s image. If not, he’s going to find someone who will.

“[Nashville] is a good team,” Hayes said, “and we’re a pretty good team, too, if everyone is working hard.”