Blackhawks react to Joel Quenneville's connection with opening Florida Panthers



[ad_1]

Former Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville is already among the eight vacant NHL posts, and ESPN reported Sunday that the Panthers had targeted him with a multi-year contract that would make him one of the best coaches paid league.

Several organizations have asked the Hawks for permission to interview Quenneville for a coaching position, and Chief Executive Stan Bowman has said he has accepted the requests. Quenneville is still under contract for the 2019-20 season although he has been removed from office.

"I do not think it's up to me to comment on that," said Bowman. "I'll leave that to these teams to solve it. We are not involved in what happens once conversations are initiated. "

The Panthers are an intriguing option after an 86-point season and should be an important player for free agents like Artemi Panarin.

Joel Quenneville may soon be back in the NHL. | Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

The Hawks abandoned Quenneville in November after a 6-6-3 start in favor of Jeremy Colliton. Colliton was 30-28-9 and the team lost six points before the playoffs.

Quenneville has won three Stanley Cups in Chicago and is second in league history with 890 career wins. Many of his Hawks championship players are still on the team, and it would be an interesting evening if they find their former coach next season.

"I think it would be funny," said Jonathan Toews. "We would really have a smile on the bench and I'm sure he would do the same thing. It would be really cool to see him on the ice.

"Interesting rumor. We'll see what happens."

[ad_2]

Source link