Teams showing interested in blacklisted coach, Joel Quenneville

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Sam Hutch
May 2, 2022 (8:26)

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Joel Quenneville a former National Hockey League bench boss might be looking to make a return behind the bench sooner than later. Quenneville of course is a coach and person that has been mired in controversy after losing his job as head coach of the Florida Panthers at the beginning of the season. His termination was a result of the role he played in the Kyle Beach scandal and resulting cover-up. It was determined that he would be banished from the league and rightly so, but could apply for reinstatement.

According to Andy Strickland of Bally sports, that time where Q could step behind an NHL bench could be sooner rather than later.

Expect #NHL teams to inquire about hiring Joel Quenneville as their Head Coach. Hear he wants back behind the bench and there is expected to be significant interest in hiring the future Hall of Famer. Q will need to meet with Commissioner Gary Bettman to be reinstated.

To me, the fact that he's allowed to apply for reinstatement already, never mind that there is «significant interest» in hiring him is abhorrent and indicative of hockey culture. His career, his resume shouldn't have any merit anymore. His knowledge and subsequent coverup of a sexual assault should make him untouchable. Nothing else matters.

There is no doubt that Coach Q has the ability to assist a team, but the NHL needs to weigh the pros and cons of the punishment they've issued and make an educated choice as to what message they're trying to send to everyone involved in the scandal.