NHL reporter reveals Joel Quenneville is being eyed as a potential replacement by an Eastern Conference team

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Tom Banks
October 16, 2024 (1:42 PM)

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The Detroit Red season is simply Stanley Cup Playoffs or bust, and if things start slow, it appears they may turn to the controversial Joel Quenneville.

Joel Queneville is one of the most controversial coaches in the NHL given his role in the Kyle Beach saga in Chicago, but like Stan Bowman he was recently reinstated by the NHL with a potential return looming. While Bowman was hired by the Edmonton Oilers this past summer, Quenneville remains on the sidelines, and although he's been linked to several teams, no role has yet come to fruition.

Now, that may soon change, with Larry Brooks of the New York Post revealing that the Detroit Red Wings are keeping a close eye on Quenneville as a potential replacement for current Head Coach Derek Lalonde.

Everyone likes head coach Derek Lalonde, but time waits for no man, even an icon such as Yzerman, Brooks said, stating that Yzerman could have Quenneville on speed dial if the Red Wings don't show progression

This would be a blockbuster move for the Red Wings, with the potential hire reuniting Quenneville with star forward Patrick Kane, and with Detroit at 1-2-0 on the season with the Stanley Cup Playoffs being a must this year, it's certainly not the way they wanted to start. Although on the ice this would be a good move, Brooks does mention that Yzerman fears this move could alienate a portion of Red Wings fans given Quenneville's past actions, much in the same way that Bowman's hire in Edmonton did.

Ultimately, the return of Quenneville seems to be a matter of when, not if, and while we aren't going to see the reunion in Edmonton with Bowman, there's many options out there for the former three-time Stanley Cup winner, so don't be shocked if he's back behind a bench at some point this season.