Rangers not expected to pursue Joel Quenneville

The New York Rangers joined the fray of teams looking for a new head coach next season after parting ways with Gerard Gallant after just two seasons. Speculation about Gallant’s firing and potential replacements began days before the announcement, though, with multiple reports drawing connections between the Rangers and storied coach Joel Quenneville.

Late Saturday night, however, Larry Brooks of the New York Post relayed reports  that Quenneville will not be part of the Rangers’ search for their next bench boss.

Quenneville is currently barred from league work by commissioner Gary Bettman after his involvement in the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks’ coverup of former coach Brad Aldrich’s alleged sexual abuse of then-Blackhawk Kyle Beach. For Quenneville to return to coaching, a team would need to initiate the process by requesting Bettman review Quenneville’s eligibility.

One name that could step into the role, Brooks says, is current AHL bench boss Kris Knoblauch. The 44-year-old has guided the Hartford Wolf Pack as their head coach for four seasons and earned himself an appearance at the 2020 AHL All-Star Game.