Teams asking about Joel Quenneville’s availability despite new 2010 Blackhawks investigation!

When NHL commissioner Gary Bettman met with former head coach Joel Quenneville, there was a sense that the talented bench boss could get another shot behind a league’s bench, despite resigning in disgrace from the Florida Panthers after being implicated in the Chicago Blackhawks’ cover up of the Brad Aldrich sex scandal in 2010.
At the start of the 2023-24 season, Quenneville was spotted at a Board of Governors meeting with rumours that he could be looking into making a comeback to the NHL.

But a lot has changed since… As Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman points out in his latest 32 written Thoughts column, some teams are looking at the possibility of making a coaching change, and therefore, Quenneville could be targeted as replacement. However, there are also new information coming in regardeing the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks, which could just kill all chances for Quenneville to make his comeback.

“I do believe some teams considering coaching changes would want to ask the NHL about Joel Quenneville’s availability, but the new lawsuit regarding the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks (reported by the Chicago Tribune’s Phillip Thompson) puts things on pause. I re-read the Jenner & Block Report, where this plaintiff was identified as “Black Ace 1,” to remember what was included. What everyone will be watching for is what, if any, new information is unveiled.”

I feel like teams should stay away from Quenneville especially with a new investigation taking shape. There were reports that he has reportedly undergone the necessary work, assigned by Bettman, but what if this new investigation shows another side to him?

There is no arguing over his talents as a head coach of the game. He is the second-winningest coach in NHL history, his 969 victories trailing only the 1,244 amassed by Scotty Bowman.

But is he the best options for teams considering a coaching change at the moment? It could be a risky call that I’m not sure I’d want to bring in my dressing room.

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