Speculation: The search for a new Head Coach - Rumors and Speculation

[LePerilsofPerreault]

The biggest lie ever told is that hockey is a sport and a league full of class.
It’s only half-full of class.
From frat boy esque entitlement, disgusting hazings, and sexual assault in junior hockey, to grown up racists, homophobes, and sexual assault coverers in the NHL.

 

[Terry Yake]

What is making people think it’s a done deal or close to one? The “strong candidate” description?

yeah, not getting that either. hiring Q in the first place is stupid, but if they're going to hire him right now when there's still close to two months of playoff hockey left and more candidates could emerge, they're brain dead

 

[Kalv]

What is making people think it’s a done deal or close to one? The “strong candidate” description?

I am wondering as well

 

[Static]

What is making people think it’s a done deal or close to one? The “strong candidate” description?

The fact that it is out there at all, from several different sources.

 

[The Mighty Duck Man]

In light of what was posted earlier in the thread about Q putting in behind the scenes work, I think I'm at the point of "I am willing to hear him and the org out when they do this, but also can they f***ing not."

What I wonder is if, perversely, the fallout from Chicago becomes a sort of selling point. Like, if you accept "he has Beach's blessing and the NHL's reinstatement, so he should be an acceptable candidate," there's a clear contrast here:
—Cronin was implicitly fired in part for being an asshole who didn't respect the players, and couldn't adapt to the mix in the room.
—Quenneville has (reportedly) been intensively learning about respect, coaching power dynamics, and how to keep a locker room healthy and avoid toxicity.
Again if one is willing to either excuse or believe he's sufficiently atoned from what happened in Chicago, there's a weird argument that he's the guy best equipped to avoid repeating either his own mistakes (which as others have mentioned, is a vanishingly unlikely scenario) or Cronin's. I could see a world where Verbeek makes this decision with the very best of intentions rather than indifference.

Still would be a damn hard sell for me. All this learning Q has been doing had better be real impressive and every player (especially the young ones) had better be enthusiastically convinced they can trust him. And that's before even getting into the hockey issues (we're really rushing to hire a guy who's been sidelined for four years, huh? I certainly don't think he's going to have lost it all, but I wouldn't expect cutting edge coaching either.)
We could hire a guy who we presume would still be a really good coach, who brings major ethical quandaries and baggage and distraction, and hope it's all worth it because he's learned from his mistakes. Or we could simply, y'know... not do that.

Actually when it comes to comparing to Cronin there’s probably an argument he is very well equipped to address his shortcomings. From all accounts Q can be blunt and intense but his former players have said he’s always treated them with respect and was a good communicator. A lot of older more gruff types get lumped together but I think there’s a world of difference in their approaches, it’d apply to Torts as well.

 

[Mr Rogers]

The fact that it is out there at all, from several different sources.

I wouldn't be surprised if he's the guy, but I'm going to still take Frank at his word from Saturday that it's still early because that would make sense. Definitely a contender and all that, but i just don't know if i'd say it's a matter of time. your vibe could be right tho, will be interesting to see what percolates this week.

 

[Tony O]

A red face can relate to blood pressure/heart issues as well. This is nonsense.

What’s nonsense about it? It’s called alcohol flush reaction, and it is a well-documented. It can lead to both low and high blood pressure. People react differently, so it could have been a blood pressure issue, alcohol flush reaction, or the drinking itself contributing to blood pressure problems. BM often had a red face, and given his history of alcohol abuse, the two seem to be linked. I’m not his doctor, but I fail to see how that’s nonsense.

 

[The Mighty Duck Man]

I wouldn't be surprised if he's the guy, but I'm going to still take Frank at his word from Saturday that it's still early because that would make sense. Definitely a contender and all that, but i just don't know if i'd say it's a matter of time. your vibe could be right tho, will be interesting to see what percolates this week.

Friedman’s report today that they met in person doesn’t necessarily discount what Seravalli said but it definitely indicates it isn’t just a preliminary thing or he’s just a part of that wide net and it might indicate that early isn’t the most accurate descriptor.

 

[Tony O]

I don't mean to steal your thunder BUT, he peed in the urinal next to me at the rookie face off in Phoenix in 2021. I recall his face looking a bit red.

Also worth noting that facial tissue can go red in the cold aka ice rinks.

Welp, I also ran into him at the team store pre game. He was happy to how busy it was, and also very red in the face. Just more anecdotal evidence.

 

[Terry Yake]

I accidentally (physically) bumped into him at a Ducks game while he was still GM. He looked visibly annoyed at me but more memorable than that, his face for real looked like a tomato. I saw him again at the last NHL draft as there was a procession of coaches and front office staff walking outside the Sphere to their team busses. For whatever it's worth, he didn't look red to me.

you're lucky you didn't get a barstool hurled at your head

 

[HanSolo]

you're lucky you didn't get a barstool hurled at your head

None in the vicinity. I think I was already starting to sour on him at the time so while I apologized, I still had this thought of "oh whatever" when he gave me a dirty look.

 

[ohcomeonref]

He still recommended by implication against taking action until the finals were over. That's in the report and it's not libel. Whether he's justified in trusting that hockey ops was on top of it, the team ultimately covered it up before, during, and after the Finals and there were serious consequences that resulted. He contributed to the cover up instead of insisting that the team take diligent and immediate action by recommending against it. I mean there's a reason why he was banned from the league for four years.

And considering how many players who gave information to the party who did the investigation reported that they'd heard rumors that Beach gave Aldridge oral sex, I really f***ing doubt that Quenneville hadn't heard about it as he claimed. He probably lied to the investigators cover his ass. And if he'd heard that he should have insisted on taking more diligent action but instead he didn't want to rock the boat.

If this was Torts, I'm sure he not only would have removed Aldridge from the team with immediate effect and insisted on an investigation, he probably would have beat the shit out of Aldridge too. Obviously pure speculation there, but Quenneville was more concerned with winning than taking action to protect kids in his care. It's in the report.

I literally couldn't disagree more with most of your conclusions here. If my superior tells me he's handling a situation, I don't believe that 2 weeks is an insane amount of time for action to be taken. We will have to agree to disagree I guess.

 

[FiveTacos]

None in the vicinity. I think I was already starting to sour on him at the time so while I apologized, I still had this thought of "oh whatever" when he gave me a dirty look.

Are you sure he wasn't simply blushing, and struggling to find the right words to introduce himself?

 

[McDonald19]

Pump the brakes and interview more candidates. Is Q going to take himself out of the running if he doesn’t get the job offer this week?

 

[ohcomeonref]

Pump the brakes and interview more candidates. Is Q going to take himself out of the running if he doesn’t get the job offer this week?

100%. I think it's important we have a coach hired before free agency, but that's it.

 

[FiveTacos]

I literally couldn't disagree more with most of your conclusions here. If my superior tells me he's handling a situation, I don't believe that 2 weeks is an insane amount of time for action to be taken. We will have to agree to disagree I guess.

Even if one accepted his version ... As coach after the playoffs I'd sure as F want to clear up exactly what happened.

Instead he sees this dude around all the celebrations, getting his day with the Cup, all that shit, and didn't think about it ever again.

The confidant said he had calls with Bowman and Q that at least one of the players was NOT okay, and the skating coach also followed up with management. Neither Q nor Bowman cared enough to follow up. That tells you all you need to know about what kind of people they are.

11 years later they care? Too Fing late.

 

[KelVarnsen]

Oil fans comforted themselves after the Bowman hiring with all the glowing talk about the work he put in.

Now we know it was all just for show.

I have no reason to believe Q would be any different. He wouldn't do jack squat if he'd still been coaching.

Just curious about this. You’ve said it many times and maybe I missed your reasons why you believe this.

 

[HanSolo]

I literally couldn't disagree more with most of your conclusions here. If my superior tells me he's handling a situation, I don't believe that 2 weeks is an insane amount of time for action to be taken. We will have to agree to disagree I guess.

Yeah I guess so. It's a much different situation when you're dealing with potential sexual victimization of young men not even at age of majority by a member of your staff.

The damning part of what we can actually confirm from the investigative report (since there's doubtless plenty of information that was withheld or facts that were softened in an investigation that relied almost entirely on testimonial information regarding events that had happened over ten years prior) is that Quenneville's reaction to what he had been told about Aldridge was to bemoan that making too big a deal about it would distract his players in their cup finals series. He, like everyone else in that room, should have insisted that they investigate futher. They should have suspended Aldridge pending a deeper investigation and if that investigation revealed actual criminal activity he should have been turned over the the police. He was part of a series of decisions that made it so none of that happened.

You're fine with Q letting someone else handle it? I'm not. Those kids were under his care. And he prioritized winning and avoiding public controversy over the well being of kids. I will never be okay with that.

 

[KelVarnsen]

What’s nonsense about it? It’s called alcohol flush reaction, and it is a well-documented. It can lead to both low and high blood pressure. People react differently, so it could have been a blood pressure issue, alcohol flush reaction, or the drinking itself contributing to blood pressure problems. BM often had a red face, and given his history of alcohol abuse, the two seem to be linked. I’m not his doctor, but I fail to see how that’s nonsense.

One of my previous bosses at work was a stone cold alcoholic. We had a chart of different shades of red to anticipate his mood for the day!!!! Thankfully the guy finally got some help and is now recovering.

 

[HanSolo]

Just curious about this. You’ve said it many times and maybe I missed your reasons why you believe this.

He doesn't want to offer testimony in the still active lawsuit by Black Ace 2 against the Blackhawks and his lawyer moved to quash a subpoena. Maybe less about not changing and more about not actually letting himself be held accountable. And the distinction there is pretty microscopic honestly.

 

[KelVarnsen]

He doesn't want to offer testimony in the still active lawsuit by Black Ace 2 against the Blackhawks and his lawyer moved to quash a subpoena. Maybe less about not changing and more about not actually letting himself be held accountable.

Playing devils advocate his attorney (probably hired by the Hawks org)is using the legal system to mitigate their ultimate payout. Happens all the time in civil suits and is usually a tactic to assist in negations for the final settlement. I work more in the criminal side of things and defendants rarely testify. I’ve been involved in lawsuits where one sides attorneys do everything possible to stop depos. I don’t think this necessarily means “he hasn’t learned anything.” It means his attorneys are trying to use the tools available to them.

But I get what you and Five are saying. And for record, I’m against Q as a coach just pointing out this doesn’t necessarily mean he hasn’t taken accountability. I can’t believe I’m quasi defending Bowman lol.

 

[Mr Rogers]

One of my previous bosses at work was a stone cold alcoholic. We had a chart of different shades of red to anticipate his mood for the day!!!! Thankfully the guy finally got some help and is now recovering.

I wonder what's worse, an alcoholic boss and bosses that are jacked up on Adderall all the time and look like they are staring thru you haha

 

[70sSanO]

I think the interview was leaked to test the waters and judge the backlash.

I am not in favor of hiring Quenneville. And I respect those who can’t support the team if he is hired.

The unfortunate thing is that it probably won’t make a difference if the Ducks make the playoffs and win a cup. There’ll be a parade with thousands of people cheering.

The fallout on Penn State from Jerry Sandusky has subsided; even though a whole lot more people were probably aware of it at the time. Paterno’s record was reinstated. Thousands were cheering for Penn State in the BCS.

There is s a congressman that continues to get re-elected despite allegations that keep getting swept under the rug. Yet 70% keep voting for him.

It isn’t right, but it is reality.

John

 

[Anaheim4ever]

I accidentally (physically) bumped into him at a Ducks game while he was still GM. He looked visibly annoyed at me but more memorable than that, his face for real looked like a tomato. I saw him again at the last NHL draft as there was a procession of coaches and front office staff walking outside the Sphere to their team busses. For whatever it's worth, he didn't look red to me.

Sounds like he's doing alot better, the Ducks did announce he went into rehab before he was fired. It's always good to hear someone kicked the habit. I think his passion for hockey was enough motivation to quit so he can stay in the game in some capacity before retiring full time and even then may stick around longer as a scout like maddens dad Martin Madden Sr. Was successful as a scout in Vancouver and was there when they drafted Kesler in 03

 

[Fairwinds]

Obviously there are real concerns with Q off the ice, but does anyone have insight on the type of coach he is on the ice?

I wasn’t really following hockey as closely back when he was coaching, so I’ve got no clue how he is as a coach.

I remember feeling like part of why Chicago beat us in the playoffs was that we were out coached.