Source – Panthers consider Quenneville head coach

After sacking coach Bob Boughner after just two seasons behind the bench, the Florida Panthers quickly targeted Stanley Cup winner Joel Quenneville as his successor, a source told ESPN informed of the discussions.

The Panthers asked and obtained permission from the Chicago Blackhawks to speak at Quenneville. Chicago fired him on November 6, 2018. He was the NHL's oldest coach at the time of his dismissal. He has coached the Blackhawks since 2008. He is the second winning coach in NHL history, compiling 890 wins with St. Louis, Colorado and Chicago; only Scotty Bowman (1,244) has more.

The Panthers offered Quenneville a multi-year contract worth more than $ 6 million a year with premiums. Mike Babcock of the Toronto Maple Leafs is currently the highest paid coach in the NHL with approximately $ 6.25 million a year.

There is good reason to believe that Quenneville might be interested in working in Florida despite the Panthers' lack of success on the ice, after qualifying for the playoffs twice since 2001 and missing them for three consecutive seasons: General Manager Dale Tallon has been hired by Quenneville Chicago.

Boughner was sacked after a 4-3 loss to the Devils on Saturday night after a 36-32-14 season. The Panthers placed fifth in the Atlantic division and 12 points in the last wild card spot.

The Panthers also sacked assistant coach Paul McFarland.

"We made a tough decision today and have relieved Bob Boughner of his coaching duties," Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said in a statement. "We have not met expectations this season and we share responsibility for this, and after careful evaluation, we have determined that this is an essential first step for our young team. -experienced chef and processor with the Stanley Cup pedigree. " We are grateful to Bob, Paul and their families for their hard work and dedication to the Panthers organization and we wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors. "

Needless to say, Quenneville has a Stanley Cup pedigree, allowing Chicago to win in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

Boughner, a former NHL defenseman, got the job of Panthers after the team split from Gerard Gallant and ends the 2016-17 season with interim coach Tom Rowe. Boughner, 48, had no experience as a head coach in the NHL. He has won the Memorial Cup twice as a coach of the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL.

Gallant has landed with the expansion Vegas Golden Knights led them to the Stanley Cup final in their first season and another playoff spot this season.