Controversial NHL Coach Could Be Reinstated
PITTSBURGH - MAY 04: The NHL logo behind the net during the game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers prior to game five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2008 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 4, 2008 at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
As the National Hockey League's Conference Finals start to pick up steam, the league has apparently decided to court a bit of controversy.
According to TSN's Darren Dreger, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will meet with former Florida Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville following the playoffs to review his potential reinstatement to the league. Quenneville resigned in 2021 in the fallout of his alleged inaction in handling a 2010 sexual assault allegation while he was with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Though he was never formally suspended or banned from the NHL, Bettman made it clear at the time that Quenneville would not be allowed to work in the league again without meeting with him to determine the conditions of any new employment.
As a result, Quenneville must not only get permission from the Panthers to interview for another job, he has to get Bettman's approval as well.
Joel Quenneville boasts the second-most wins by a head coach in NHL history with 969 wins. He led the Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup titles between 2010 and 2015 and has taken the St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche and Panthers to the playoffs.
There are five head coaching vacancies in the NHL right now and Quenneville has reportedly expressed interest in coaching again. If he can get the green light from Bettman, we could find out about Quenneville's new job in a matter of weeks, if not days.
Will Joel Quenneville be coaching again in 2023?
