Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!
Unlike what I said in the recap from Wednesday’s game, there is no Maple Leafs game tonight, so we can all breathe a sigh of relief.
Speaking of relived (this segue brought to you by Segway, when you need to segue, Segway) Joel Quenneville has been fired resigned as head coach of the Florida Panthers after meeting with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman yesterday. Quenneville was head coach for Chicago in 2010 when Kyle Beach was assaulted by one of Quenneville’s staff.
Related
Joel Quenneville resigns as head coach of the Florida Panthers
Joel Quenneville resigns as Florida Panthers head coach in wake of NHL sex abuse case | CBC Sports
Statement from Joel Quenneville: pic.twitter.com/4FB4CZ2gyw
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 29, 2021
Statement from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on the resignation of Joel Quenneville. pic.twitter.com/1KjdI2SKOL
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 29, 2021
Awaiting official wording on Joel Quenneville, but sounds like Andrew Brunette as interim coach in Florida.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 29, 2021
Andrew Brunette has been serving as assistant coach for the Panthers since 2019, after retiring as a player from Chicago in 2012.
Who could get the big job? Well NHL analyst Kevin Weekes says John Tortorella is in line for the job.
I’m hearing there’s a coaching change coming shortly with the @FlaPanthers . Keep an eye on my @espn colleague John Tortorella as one of the top potential candidates.@NHL @NHLNetwork #HockeyTwitter .
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) October 29, 2021
Quenneville isn’t the only one begging for his job at Bettman’s feet. Winnipeg Jets* general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is heading to New York today. His meeting was originally planned for Monday, but at the request of the team the meeting was moved up.
Related
Jets GM to discuss Chicago sex assault allegations with NHL on Friday | CBC Sports
Cheveldayoff was the team’s assistant GM at the time of the assault.
One of the other major players at the time is also on the hot seat; Marc Bergevin was director of player personnel at the time. However he’s more likely to lose his job because of the Montréal Canadiens 2-6-0 record to start the season, than anything to do with Chicago.
Players are starting to speak up about this now as well (not any on Chicago you silly goose, they’re all cowards covering their asses), Taylor Hall had some words last night after the Bruins game:
Taylor Hall when asked by @mattyports about Kyle Beach & the Blackhawks:
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) October 29, 2021
"Every culture needs to keep getting better, and hockey's no different. This is a game that's a little bit of what you'd call an old boy's club. ... there needs to be changes." pic.twitter.com/NYtaHZHkGM
The biggest on-ice story last night is Jordan Binnington once again being unhinged for unknown reasons.
It wouldn't be hockey season without Jordan Binnington antics pic.twitter.com/VU2H6c2Oqs
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) October 29, 2021
Yes, Binnington swung his stick at Nazem Kadri, and of course Kadri got a matching 10 minute misconduct for being the victim of the stick swinging.
Finally, if you have a dollar to spare, we can finally get Auston Matthews to get rid of that god awful mustache.
Related
Movember Story: Auston Matthews puts his iconic Mo on the line
If he raises $134,000 he will shave it off.
Dig deep folks, it’s what we all need.