Joel Quenneville was hired as Blackhawks head coach by current Panthers general manager Dale Tallon back in 2008. Prior to his work in Chicago, Quenneville was a well-respected coach but was still not hailed as one of the greats.
Quenneville’s coaching began in 1996 with the St. Louis Blues, reaching the playoffs in his first season at the helm, but losing to the perpetual Stanley Cup Champions – Steve Yzerman’s Detroit Red Wings – in six games in the first round.
This did set a precedent for JQ’s time in St.