Rumor: Joel Quenneville to take over the Detroit Red Wings!?

The Detroit Red Wings are staring down the barrel of another wasted season with Derek Lalonde behind the bench.

The Red Wings were expected to make a step this season, but they're once again on the outside of the NHL's playoff picture looking in and TSN insider Darren Dreger reports that the team's entire season could come down to this week's three game homestand.

If the Red Wings go 1 for 3 or 0 for 3 on the week, then Lalonde will likely be sent packing and the team will promote an interim coach from within, reports Dreger. For the record, the Red Wings are 2-0 so far on their homestand this week.

From Monday's TSN 'Insider Trading' Segment:

"Their only three points out of a Wild Card spot and they've got a crucial three-game homestand happening this week. What happens if they go 1 for 3 or 0 for 3? We know that Steve Yzerman is loyal to his coaches, but they have to remain competitive. So if they have a good home stand everything should be fine. If they don't that might force Yzerman to make a decision and the sense is that they would go with an internal interim-candidate and then hope that a top coach eventually becomes available.

- Darren Dreger

For what it's worth, the Red Wings' coaching staff also consists of assistant coaches Bob Boughner, Alex Tanguay and Jay Varady.

ESPN insider Greg Wyshynski though reports that if and when the Red Wings make a coaching change, they may turn to NHL coaching legend Joel Quenneville.

From Wyshynski's most recent column for ESPN:

There also has been speculation that it might happen, and one rumor that made the rounds in NHL coaching circles this month was that Joel Quenneville might take over the Detroit bench.

"Two weeks ago, I heard Quenneville for Detroit," a coaching source said.

- Greg Wyshynski

Quenneville, of course, has been unemployed since resigning from his head coaching position with the Florida Panthers back in 2021 when news of the Brad Aldrich scandal broke. He was effectively suspended from coaching by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, but by all accounts he has worked to learn and improve himself following the scandal. There's a sense in the NHL community that Quenneville would be welcomed back into the league if given an opportunity.

Will that opportunity come in Detroit? Stay tuned.