The New York Rangers' Game 7 shutout loss was a bitter pill for fans to swallow, and it's no surprise that speculation about changes to the team's roster and coaching staff has begun. TSN's Darren Dreger reported today that longtime NHL coach Joel Quenneville is among the candidates being considered to replace current head coach Gerard Gallant, and ESPN's Greg Wyshynski has also confirmed the rumors.
If the Rangers do decide to bring in Quenneville, they can expect plenty of scrutiny. The former Chicago Blackhawks coach currently requires approval from the league office to work any job in the NHL again due to his involvement in the team's handling of former video coach Brad Aldrich's alleged sexual abuse of former player Kyle Beach back in 2010.
According to an independent investigation report released by legal firm Jenner and Block, multiple witnesses claimed that Quenneville participated in a meeting to discuss the Aldrich allegations shortly after the Blackhawks advanced to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final. In that meeting, Quenneville and other team leaders reportedly opted to defer action on Aldrich until after the playoff run so as not to "cause a distraction" to the team's on-ice success. Prior to the report coming to light, Quenneville had publicly denied any knowledge of the allegations against Aldrich.
Despite the controversy surrounding Quenneville, the Rangers appear to be seriously considering him for the job. However, as Dreger noted, the league still has to clear him to return to coaching. If the Rangers make an official interview request, it could potentially encourage commissioner approval.
Quenneville last coached in the NHL with the Florida Panthers during the 2021-22 season. He had a perfect 7-0-0 record before resigning and being conditionally held out of NHL work by the commissioner's office. Only time will tell if he'll get the chance to lead the Rangers to success, but if he does, he'll have a lot to prove both on and off the ice.
