Rangers In Discussions With David Quinn To Become Their Next Head Coach

12:46 p.m.: ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski tweets that the rumored five-year, $12MM deal isn’t finalized between the Rangers and Quinn. While a deal isn’t concrete, it’s still expected to happen. The scribe adds that it might have something to do with the fact that Gorton hasn’t returned from Denmark yet.

12:11 p.m.: New England Hockey Journal’s Jeff Cox reports that the Rangers and Quinn have come to an agreement in principle to have Quinn become the team’s head coach. The scribe writes that the deal would be a five-year deal worth $2.5MM per season.

Saturday, 11:40 a.m.: The New York Post’s Larry Brooks reports that two sources have told him that Quinn has signaled that he wants the New York Rangers job and barring a negotiating breakdown, the job is his. He adds that Gorton is expected back from Denmark on Monday.

Friday: The Rangers appear to have found their next target to replace Alain Vigneault.  This afternoon, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported (Twitter link) that the team was focusing on Boston University head coach David Quinn while TSN’s Bob McKenzie adds (Twitter link) that talks have advanced with Quinn to the point where he appears to be on his way towards becoming their next head coach although a deal has not been finalized as of yet.  He adds that GM Jeff Gorton is currently at the World Championships in Denmark so nothing is imminent.

Earlier this offseason, New York appeared to have their sights set on another college coach in Jim Montgomery.  However, the Stars stepped in and hired him as their replacement for Ken Hitchcock instead.

With the Rangers transitioning towards a younger roster, it makes sense that they would be looking for someone who is experienced working with younger players and Quinn certainly fits that bill.

He has spent the past five years at the college level but he does have experience coaching in the pros.  The 51-year-old spent three seasons as the head coach for Colorado’s then-AHL affiliate in Lake Erie before being promoted to an assistant at the NHL level for the 2012-13 campaign before he left for Boston University.  Quinn was named the Hockey East Coach of the Year in 2014-15 while this past season, the Terriers took home the Hockey East title.  Last month, he was named as head coach for Team USA’s entry into the 2019 World Juniors although he would relinquish that position should he get this position with New York.