Controversial Stanley Cup Winning Coach Linked to Eastern Conference Team

Given his involvement in the Kyle Beach scandal in Chicago, Joel Queneville is among the most controversial NHL coaches. However, similar to Stan Bowman, he was recently reinstated by the league with a possible comeback in the near future. Although Quenneville has been linked to multiple teams, no role has materialized as of yet, and Bowman was hired by the Edmonton Oilers this past summer.

Larry Brooks of the New York Post speculates that this could occur if the Red Wings struggle early in the 2024-25 season. There is tremendous pressure on the team organization and general manager Steve Yzerman to make the crucial decisions that will change their trajectory because they are facing an eight-year playoff drought.

The Red Wings would gain major experience by acquiring Joel Quenneville, a three-time Stanley Cup-winning head coach with the Chicago Blackhawks. Most significantly, he would be reunited with his former Blackhawks teammate, superstar Patrick Kane. Given that Kane is a player who is intimately familiar with Quenneville and his style, it could instantly ignite the team.

The Red Wings had great expectations going into the season because of several big offseason acquisitions, but they quickly lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3. The initial setback only fuels rumors of a coaching change and whether Quenneville is the right person to turn things around.

There is no disputing Quenneville's abilities as a head coach of the game, notwithstanding the controversy surrounding him. With 969 wins, he is the second-most successful coach in NHL history, only surpassed by Scotty Bowman's 1,244 total.