Rangers’ makeover continues with two rookie coaching hires
The Rangers and general manager Jeff Gorton were looking for something “fresh” behind the bench after dismissing Alain Vigneault and most of his veteran crew within hours of last season’s finale. Now, they’ve got it.
Not only will the Blueshirts go into 2018-19 with a neophyte NHL head man in David Quinn, but they also will have a pair of assistants in David Oliver and Greg Brown (joining holdover Lindy Ruff) who never have coached at the NHL level in any capacity.
“It was important for me to have people I could trust, have confidence in and have had relationships with, but it’s not like I just hired a couple of buddies,” Quinn told The Post on Tuesday. “In David and Greg, we have two guys who are extremely well-respected throughout the hockey world, even if they don’t have that kind of NHL experience. They’re going to be major factors in helping us become the team we want to be and can be.
“Maybe experience would have become more of a consideration without Lindy. That’s obviously one of the assets he brings to our group.”
Oliver, who spent a couple of months as a Ranger in 1996-97, has spent most of his post-playing career in the Avalanche’s front office, primarily focused on player development. He worked with Quinn for four years in the Colorado organization from 2009-13. Brown had been assistant coach at Boston College since 2004-05, primarily responsible for working with the Eagles’ defensemen. An assistant for Team USA at the 2014, 2017 and 2018 World Junior Tournaments, Brown was Quinn’s teammate on the 1986 World Junior squad that won bronze.
“David has a tremendous amount of experience working with NHL players,” said Quinn. “And I think Greg is as well-respected as anyone at any level for his ability to develop high-end players.
“We’re not talking about kids here. These are two guys who are accomplished in the game and are going to have great influence on what the New York Rangers become.”
The plan calls for Oliver and Ruff to accompany Quinn behind the bench while Brown will be upstairs. Brown and Ruff will work with the defense. Ruff, who along with goaltending coach Benoit Allaire survived the purge that cost Vigneault and assistants Scott Arniel and Darryl Williams their jobs, will be responsible for the penalty kill, while Oliver and Brown will share responsibility for the power play.
“I get the tie-breaking vote,” Quinn said.
Quinn has returned from his trip to Sweden, during which he met with Henrik Lundqvist, Mika Zibanejad and Jesper Fast.
“If I was better at geography I’d have met with Zucc, too,” the coach said, referring to Mats Zuccarello. “I didn’t realize Norway was just a hop away.
“I’ve talked with about 10 guys, and I’ll meet with everyone by the time camp starts,” Quinn said. “They’ve been great meetings. It’s about getting to know each other as people, developing a personal relationship, and getting onto the same page as far as clarifying our expectations of one another and as a team.
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“I want to hit the ground running when we open camp.”
The Rangers have essentially made no changes in personnel since last year’s debacle ended in Philadelphia. Maybe some of the prospects will force their way onto the roster, but the most dramatic changes are on the coaching staff. Expectations are different, too.
“You know, when I was talking to those guys in Sweden, it came up that we’re not in the same situation that the Rangers were the last few years,” Quinn said. “But no matter what, I’m approaching it as if we are one of the 31 teams in the league looking to win the Stanley Cup, and that’s how I want the players to think. If we work at it — and we will — people might be surprised at what we can accomplish collectively.”
“We want to win hockey games. We’re not coming into this with an attitude of being willing to settle for less. The answers are within the walls of our locker room.
“We need guys who are committed to working each day to be at their best. If a guy didn’t have his best year last year, we need him to be better this year. That’s the way we’re going to get back to being successful.”
The Rangers reached agreement with Jimmy Vesey on a two-year deal worth an average of $2.275 million. The 25-year-old will make $2.2 million this season and $2.35 million in 2019-20.