David Quinn to join Penguins as assistant coach?

Mike Sullivan could be about to have a familiar and friendly face join his staff

The Penguins have a vacancy on their coaching staff after parting ways with associate coach Todd Reirden last month. An obvious name for general manager and President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas to consider hiring was David Quinn.

Quinn has significant NHL experience from running the New York Rangers for three seasons and most recently in his role as San Jose’s head coach for the prior two. He’s been a head coach at the AHL level prior to that and has significant experience in the college coaching ranks at Boston University.

However, it’s Quinn’s time as a player at BU in the 1980’s that makes him a clear fit for the Penguins. Quinn and Mike Sullivan were teammates and developed a close bond that’s evident to this day. This NBC piece shows how Sullivan’s advice helped counsel Quinn to make the jump to being an NHL head coach.

For reasons professional and personal alike with that kind of connection, it would not be tough to see Quinn come to the Penguins if he couldn’t get another NHL head coaching jobs. Most of them are now filled and a report from New York says that is looking to be the case.

The Penguins haven’t made any announcements about Mike Vellucci, their other primary assistant coach. Vellucci’s contract is about to end, but unlike Reirden, Vellucci was not shown the door. The Pens also have Ty Hennes rounding out their coaching staff.

If reports like Staples’ above are true, Pittsburgh could be bringing one of Sullivan’s oldest friends in Quinn to the team next season.