Well, it looks like Coach Q doesn’t have a new job after all — not yet at least. On Sunday, December 16th, various reputable news outlets reported Joel Quenneville would become the next head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers and it seemed like a done deal — for a while.
The Flyers will reportedly fire Dave Hakstol, and hire Joel Quenneville to be head coach.
Full story here: https://t.co/oUaBErd2Zz pic.twitter.com/P4NsFSJPHe
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) December 16, 2018
Looks like former #Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville is headed to Philly: https://t.co/ajRtqh1p9C
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) December 16, 2018
BREAKING NHL NEWS: Flyers will announce the firing of coach Dave Hakstol in the next 24 hours, and will name Joel Quenneville next coach, sources tell @davegisaac. https://t.co/FpfxGARf8g
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) December 16, 2018
According to a blockbuster report, former #Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has a new job https://t.co/wQouLP4ZhC pic.twitter.com/XPfoWt3IKx
— NBC Chicago (@nbcchicago) December 16, 2018
The Flyers have decided to fire Dave Hakstol and will hire 3 time Stanley Cup winning coach Joel Quenneville, according to @davegisaac #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/I3Qu2wv3yu
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) December 16, 2018
However, that ended up not being the case for the time being. The Flyers did indeed fire Dave Hakstol today, but the Joel Quenneville part hasn’t panned out. The official announcement from the Flyers came today. Here is the Flyers plan of action going forward, in regards to their head coaching situation.
OFFICIAL: The #Flyers have relieved Dave Hakstol of his duties as head coach. Scott Gordon will serve as head coach on an interim basis. https://t.co/6ecCm6Wk7X pic.twitter.com/Ie6n5YdunW
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 17, 2018
The following article was the one that really got the rumor mill wheels turning on the Coach Q to Philly story and where I actually got the lead on my Q to Philly article.
Sources: #Flyers make the decision to fire Dave Hakstol, hire Joel Quenneville: https://t.co/YFEyzBiJW2
— Dave Isaac (@davegisaac) December 16, 2018
Dave Isaac’s article seemed very promising, as he has a verified account on Twitter and he is a Flyers beat writer for the Courier Post and USA Today, and also, contributes to the Professional Hockey Writers Association in the Philly chapter. Well, everyone can’t be right all the time.
Conflicting Reports on Joel Quenneville to Flyers
After the Twittersphere was initially flooded with Q to the Flyers tweets, more and more conflicting reports would later come out. This was the first of many tweets that would eventually debunk the Coach Q rumors that were running rampant all throughout Twitter.
Joel Quenneville tells me report of him taking Flyers job is not true #NHL
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) December 16, 2018
Today, the bigger picture started to become a little clearer, as those close to the situation started to speak out and share their insight.
Chuck Fletcher says Scott Gordon will coach Flyers for rest of season. Also said he never asked Blackhawks for permission to talk to Joel Quenneville
— Adam Kimelman (@NHLAdamK) December 17, 2018
Chuck Fletcher says he hasn’t asked the #blackhawks for permission to interview Joel Quenneville, nor has he spoken with him.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) December 17, 2018
The Flyers denied a report that the team is firing head coach Dave Hakstol and hiring Joel Quenneville as his replacement https://t.co/FIlcuNK6cO
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 17, 2018
Where There’s Smoke, There’s (Usually) Fire
I am sure most of everyone has heard the saying, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” or some form of it. There is always some reason for a rumor and it’s usually because there is some degree of truth to it.
Now, even though Joel Quenneville has recently denied being hired by the Philadelphia Flyers to become their next head coach, I wouldn’t rule it out in the future. Maybe even before this season ends.
There have been some reports claiming Coach Q wants to spend the holidays with his family and then possibly join the Flyers some time in January.
The NHL Network actually dedicated an entire segment to Joel Quenneville and specifically mentioned Joel taking some time off and spending the holidays with his family, before considering a return to coaching.
Will we see Joel Quenneville in Philly? 🤔🤔🤔#NHLNow pic.twitter.com/TeybFAQkI1
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) December 17, 2018
I could definitely see this being true to some extent. Quenneville just ended an extremely successful 10 year run with the Chicago Blackhawks. I might even go as far as calling it legendary. Nobody really understands how much time and energy really goes into coaching, unless you’ve done it before.
Joel has definitely earned some time away from the ice and I think he should take as long as he needs. I mean, it also doesn’t hurt that the Blackhawks are still paying him for the remainder of his contract while he takes a much-needed vacation.
For more Blackhawks news and updates, follow the author @Certified_TonyG on Twitter.
