Quenneville's hockey resume is a superb match for Toronto. His HR history, maybe credibility, not so much.

Mere seconds after Toronto Maple Leafs fired coach Sheldon Keefe on Thursday, former Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville was suggested as a logical replacement.

Hockey-wise, it would make sense. Despite marquee talent, the Leafs won just one playoff series in five years under Keefe. The Blackhawks captured three Stanley Cups — in 2010, 2013 and 2015 under Quenneville, the second-winningest coach in NHL history with 969 victories over 25 seasons. 

The Blackhawks had their most successful run in the franchise's 98 seasons with Quenneville behind their bench, going 452-249-96 from 2008 to 2018. Chicago was 76-52 in 128 playoff games under "Q", a .594 postseason winning percentage that's way better than anything Leafs fans can remember since the 1960s. 

That's when former Blackhawks general manager Bob Pulford played in Toronto.

Happy Homecoming?

Quenneville was drafted in the second-round, 21st by the Leafs in 1978 after skating for his hometown junior Windsor Spitfires. A defenseman, he started his 13-year NHL playing career with Toronto, playing at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1978-79 and into 1979-80 before being traded to the Colorado Rockies, now the New Jersey Devils.

Guiding the Leafs would be the perfect bookend for the 65-year-old Quenneville's career, right? Top coach comes home to the top NHL market and pushes underperforming franchise back to the glory it deserves.

Ooops. Slight Problem

But there are a couple of big reasons why Quenneville shouldn't guide the Maple Leafs.

First, he'd need to be re-instated to work in the NHL by commissioner Gary Bettman. While not formally banned from the league, Quenneville needs Bettman's blessing to coach again.

Then there's the reason why Quenneville "resigned" as coach of the Florida Panthers on Oct. 28, 2021 after a meeting in Bettman's office in New York. 

It's still messy. It would be a distraction, especially in a market like Toronto. Every day, there could be something other than hockey to talk about. 

There's a potential PR fiasco for the Leafs, the NHL and Bettman here.

The Messy History

Some background, if you don't know already.

Quenneville was shoved out of Chicago as coach in a political power play with then-bosses (GM Stan and advisor Scotty Bowman and former president John McDonough) 15 games into the 2018-19 season after the Blackhawks looked sour in a 6-6-3 start.

Quenneville landed on his feet in Florida next season and got the Panthers on a winning track. They were 37-14-5 in pandemic shortened 2020-21, then started 2021-22 at 7-0-0.

Then it hit the fan. 

A report from Chicago law firm Jenner & Block graphically described how Blackhawks minor league "Black Aces" players had been sexually harassed and assaulted in May 2010 by video coach Brad Aldrich, a member of Quenneville's staff. First identified only as "John Doe," 2008 first-round draft pick Kyle Beach later came forward as the player who took the brunt of Aldrich's actions.

The report had been commissioned by the Blackhawks after Beach had filed a lawsuit early in 2021 against the team. The report broke on Oct. 26, 2021 and Stan Bowman, still the GM in Chicago, resigned immediately.

Quenneville has maintained he learned the specifics of Beach's accusations only when he was head coach of the Panthers and en route to meet Bettman and other league officials two days later. 

He stepped down after the meeting and is not eligible to work again for an NHL team unless Bettman clears him.

Do You Believe Him?  Toronto Media, Fans Will Question.

Quenneville said on a podcast last month he would have fired Aldrich promptly in 2010 if he knew the video coach had sexually harassed and assaulted a player – even as the Blackhawks progressed in the playoffs.

Speaking on the The Cam & Strick podcast, Quenneville reiterated that he was unaware and largely kept in the dark about claims. See the link. Quenneville speaks about 1:16 in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNW79g7t95s

"Had I known what I would find out... that made me sick to my stomach, I would have had no problem getting rid of Brad," Quenneville said. "It wouldn't have made a difference with what was going to happen in the next series. It was unacceptable.

"I was equally more disturbed that I read he used the power of the coaching office to influence the player."

Quenneville added, "I blame myself for some things I could have and should have done differently."

Quenneville said in podcast that had been summoned to a meeting by then-Blackhawks president John McDonough in May 2010 after Beach had lodged a complaint. Quenneville recalled several people were in the room at the United Center and entered the meeting only after it started and for just several minutes.

"I left the meeting with understanding that they got it (taken care of)," Quenneville said.

Quenneville explained there was a "divide" in the between the Blackhawks' upper and hockey management and in the team's culture. He listened to others in that meeting, but said on the podcast he felt he needed to "stay in his lane."

'They told me that (Aldrich) was hanging around the Rockford (AHL call-up) players, he was socializing, they were going out to bars, he might have sent an inappropriate text or two, and that he was bugging them. And that's all I knew.

"I didn't put it all together that it resembled sexual abuse or sexual assault. And by not asking more questions, I take ownership on that."

Quenneville said he has educated himself on spotting the signs of sexual abuse since them.

Quenneville said he's casually remained in touch with the sport and people in the game. He stopped short of saying he has been offered a job, but hinted he's talked to teams. 

"There's a process before we can get to the next step, Quenneville said. "We're still not there yet. There are some places I would have love to have gone." 

Toronto might be one of them now.