Jan Levine: Is David Quinn the right coach for the team moving forward? Fifth blog in top-25 off-season series

I believe Quinn is the right coach moving forward for now, This team still needs to be rounded out and gelled. Time to move on from The King and let the young goaltender’s grow. Another key center won’t hurt, take a shot grab Malkin.

I do not think he finishes that 5 year contract. If the team misses the PO next year he is def gone.

I think the biggest question, and one that is often difficult to answer, from the fans’ perspective, is does he have buy-in from the team. Do they believe in what he says? Do they want to play hard for him? If they do, and, based on our late season run, they might, then the coaching position is the least of our worries. It’s a very young team, and Quinn’s reputation is strong, so I say he gets the benefit of the doubt. When teams win, the coach gets credit. When they lose, the coach takes the blame. This ain’t always fair, but... Just win, baby!

Oh, FYI, Jan, you have a cut-and-paste oops in the last sentence of paragraph 4 in the Brooks section. Thought you might want to know — especially because it involves ADA; that fire doesn’t need any more kindling.

I believe Quinn is the right coach moving forward for now, This team still needs to be rounded out and gelled. Time to move on from The King and let the young goaltender’s grow. Another key center won’t hurt, take a shot grab Malkin.
- Tee56

I doubt they built through the draft to trade it all away for a 35 year old .........

I like Quinn, and after a couple seasons still don’t know if he’s the right coach. I like what he’s done so far, not sure if he has what it takes to take us through a deep playoff run but time will tell.

Coach is good. Team is good and still super young (and they'll get only younger once Hank and Staal depart). Give the rookies a few years to develop. Not sure what everyone expects when 80% of your team has less than three years of NHL experience.

I commented about the jury still being out on Quinn, and I think that’s still the case.

Also with the quality of coaches available I don’t think it’s gonna take much for JD to pull the trigger and make a change.

Especially with the Islanders playing so well for Trotz.

Logan Couture about to get cancelled

I view Quinn in two buckets: on-ice performance and off-ice development.

I think the jury is still out on Quinn for on-ice performance. Yes the team is young, yes they could use a few more pieces, but it's up to the coach to push the right buttons during the 60 mins of a game. This would be the area I hope to see him develop the most in. It would also be nice for him to rethink some of his forecheck and defensive zone strategies. Not that he hasn't done a fine job, but I think they can be more complete. Basically I want to see more Trotz and Torts in him.

I give Quinn an A+ for the off-ice development. I think he is the right guy for showing our young players what it means to be a pro. He seems like a stand up guy and expects his players to follow his lead.

I like him overall. Think he is good for the team. In saying that, if they miss the playoffs next year or have an awful 1st 1/2 he might be gone.

If I said I wasnt jealous that the Islanders have Trotz I'd be lying

This will be an interesting year for Quinn. First time he really has to coach with any kind of pressure/expectations. This season will tell a lot if he has a future here going forward

Oh, FYI, Jan, you have a cut-and-paste oops in the last sentence of paragraph 4 in the Brooks section. Thought you might want to know — especially because it involves ADA; that fire doesn’t need any more kindling.
- Bromancer

Thanks, fixed, apologies. Thought I had wiped the prior clean, will make sure to recheck again in future. Appreciate the help.

Thanks, fixed, apologies. Thought I had wiped the prior clean, will make sure to recheck again in future. Appreciate the help.
- airjan23

Get your head out of your ass Jan!

Jury is still out on Quinn. I want him to be successful and be the guy. I like him

For me this season is the make/break point and it comes down to a few key things:
- Youth development...If Lafreniere, Kakko, Howden, Kravstov, Chytil, and dare I say Lias are (still) struggling then it's a problem. They don't all have to be superstars, but at least 2 in that group need to be having a significant impact on a nightly basis. I agree that Buch, TDA, and Fox have had success but it's not enough to me. We are talking #1, #2, #7, #9, #19, #21, and #27 overall picks.
- Compete level...Don't want to be talking about effort every 3rd game
- Defensive strategy...The 3 games in CAR made it look like Quinn is unable to adapt his strategy. The defense made 0 progress last season. Being able to adapt and adjust is a minimum requirement for an NHL coach. Either the current result has to improve to prove the system or the system has to change because another year of porous defense with no changes is not acceptable

I don't even care about the W/L or playoffs this season. Do those 3 things and the results will follow

Get your head out of your ass Jan!
- mdw7413

Mea culpa

Mea culpa
- airjan23

Just bustin your chops. Thanks for all the blogs during the downtime.

Logan Couture about to get cancelled
- nyrangers2

If what happened to him happened to a left leaning sports figure it would be all over the news. Doesn’t fit their agenda that he was sucker punched for saying his dad was a police officer and if he could vote he would vote Republican. That’s simply all he said and he was punched in the face because of it.

if there is actually a lot of interest in Matt Murray as is being claimed, then maybe the interest in Georgiev will be higher

both of them are RFA's and need to be signed, but Georgiev should be a lot cheaper

although I still think Georgiev is a better backup for Shesterkin than Lundqvist

SiriusXM NHL Network Radio
@SiriusXMNHL
·
1m
#NHL NEWS-
#STLBLUES GM Doug Armstrong announces Vladimir Tarasenko will need additional surgery and will be re-evaluated in 5 months

if there is actually a lot of interest in Matt Murray as is being claimed, then maybe the interest in Georgiev will be higher

both of them are RFA's and need to be signed, but Georgiev should be a lot cheaper

although I still think Georgiev is a better backup for Shesterkin than Lundqvist
- jimbro83

I think we could be surprised at the return Georgiev could get. Lots of teams need goalies

SiriusXM NHL Network Radio
@SiriusXMNHL
·
1m
#NHL NEWS-
#STLBLUES GM Doug Armstrong announces Vladimir Tarasenko will need additional surgery and will be re-evaluated in 5 months
- jimbro83

SiriusXM NHL Network Radio
@SiriusXMNHL
·
1m
#NHL NEWS-
#STLBLUES GM Doug Armstrong announces Vladimir Tarasenko will need additional surgery and will be re-evaluated in 5 months
- jimbro83

What was the original surgery for again?