Penguins Make More Power Play Changes; The David Quinn Effect (+)

There have been far more changes to the Pittsburgh Penguins than what has thus far been visible on the ice after seven preseason games. Not only will the average age come down nearly two years from the start of last season, but there is a new and fresh feeling around the team.

Multiple players have mentioned that it feels like a carryover from last season’s Penguins late-season gallop toward a playoff spot. Though it fell short, the team finally began to play to its potential. The dour locker room quickly became an optimistic room.

There’s a lot of optimism with the 2024-25 Penguins, too. There’s been an joy watching young players arrive and fight for roster spots–a few players in the room Saturday mentioned that as a source of optimism. There’s the fresh start aspect–they won’t start in the hole that engulfed last season.

And there’s assistant coach David Quinn, who will oversee the defensemen and power play.

In fact, it seems Quinn is at the intersection of several points of optimism. The former head coach of the New York Rangers and San Jose Sharks has long been a close friend of Sullivan. The pair played together at Boston University under legendary coach Jack Parker, they look a little bit alike, and their voices even sound a lot alike, replete with subtle Boston accents.