Kris Knoblauch was encouraged to pack a bag before he traveled to Manhattan on Wednesday to step in as acting coach of the Rangers for their matchup with the Flyers — just in case the team’s real coaching staff was going to be unavailable for more games after entering COVID-19 protocol.
But after hearing that Rangers head coach David Quinn, as well as assistants Jacques Martin, David Oliver, and Greg Brown, will all be unable to coach for at least the next two games in Washington, Knoblauch, normally head coach of the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack, realized he didn’t pack nearly enough.
“We’ve had a little bit of time to reflect on what happened and it feels more like a regular coaching day, where we just finished the game, we’re reviewing the game on video and talking within the assistants, mostly [Wolf Pack associate coach] Gord Murphy and myself,” Knoblauch said following practice Thursday, a day after he was behind the bench for the Rangers’ 9-0 walloping of the Flyers. “But we’ve also talked to Quinnie a little bit. It was mostly just preparing for what kind of practices we should be having, looking at the schedule, who we’re playing, what do we want to do.
“We’ll move forward getting prepared to play Washington. We’ll contact [the Rangers’ coaching staff] again probably before we get on the flight to Washington, and we’ll discuss the game plan and go over video of what’s our game plan against them.”
Knoblauch declined to confirm whether Quinn had tested positive for the coronavirus, though Pavel Buchnevich mentioned after Wednesday’s win that the team found out “the coach tested positive” in the morning. It’s unclear how long the Wolf Pack staff will remain with the Rangers.
Considering Knoblauch runs the same system with the Wolf Pack, which defenseman Tarmo Reunanen pointed out after his recent call-up from Hartford, it was likely a straightforward transition for the 42-year-old.
Knoblauch also said the Rangers players were extremely accommodating upon his staff’s arrival, assisting them with routines, meeting times and preparation.
“They’re awesome,” Ryan Lindgren said of the fill-in crew. “I played for them a little bit in Hartford last year and I really enjoyed them, they’re two just outstanding people and great coaches, very easy to talk to, so smart with the game too. They did a great job [Wednesday] night and we’re excited to have them. I think they’re gonna do a great job.”
With Knoblauch and Murphy up with the NHL cub, the Wolf Pack was coached Thursday by Hartford assistant general manager Pat Boller and goaltending consultant Jeff Malcolm as they competed against the Islanders’ AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Additionally, Wolf Pack captain Vincent LoVerde, who had been scratched from the game, also assisted with coaching responsibilities.
“Being behind an NHL bench, it’s very exciting,” said Knoblauch, who was an assistant coach with the Flyers for two seasons. “Even though there was about 2,000 fans [Wednesday] night, it didn’t feel like that, I felt that they were very vocal and into the game. Just being behind the bench, being able to call out lines and being part of the victory, it’s memorable. I will definitely have all my coaching memories, this will be one of the most significant ones.”