I said before the game started last night that a game without Quinn was a good chance for the players to step up and take ownership (something we've been sorely lacking for half the games this season).
I don't think it's an indictment on Quinn that they did. They're still playing his system, and the actual usage may have been even more skewed in the direction that people get pissed at him about.
But whether Quinn is a hindrance or a boon to the team, I think that we desperately needed some kind of an identity as a group; and players being put in a position where they feel they know the system better than the guys behind the bench could really facilitate that.
If we do come into our own with that "swagger", I suspect that it will remain when Quinn returns. But let's wait until the two Capitals games before we decide that they're actually finding a higher level more consistently.
Honestly the idea of removing the entire coaching staff for a couple games sporadically throughout the season actually sounds quite intriguing to me. I worked as a stage actor for four years, and every director I ever had was very hands on and involved, but as soon as they gave us notes after opening night, then that was it; it was our show then. And it really helps people see things as a whole at those times, instead of their own selfish little pieces of a composition. Having the coaches sit a handful of times a season may actually have benefits for the lockerroom and for the guys' understanding of the system (and perhaps even the coach's).
Edit - not that that would ever happen, but I genuinely like the idea a lot.
