David Quinn seems at least somewhat aware that there was a growing amount of noise — warranted or unwarranted — surrounding his veteran assistant coach, Lindy Ruff. It seemed inevitable, as Ruff helps manage the defense that is surrendering the second-most shots against in the league (35.3), as well as the penalty kill, which is ranked 25th (77.1 percent) mostly by way of a few stupendously bad games.
So twice over the past few weeks, including during the Rangers’ successful four-game western road trip when they went 2-1-1, Quinn, unprompted, mentioned Ruff by name in terms of the improving penalty kill.