Ducks Tap Coaching Veteran for Stanley Cup Push

Joel Quenneville Returns to NHL Helm Aiming for Playoff Resurgence

The Anaheim Ducks have appointed Stanley Cup-winning coach Joel Quenneville to lead their charge back to playoff contention, signaling a significant shift in team direction.

A Championship Pedigree

Quenneville, who boasts 969 career wins and trails only Scotty Bowman all-time, brings a proven track record of success. His previous tenures saw multiple Stanley Cup victories with the Chicago Blackhawks (2010, 2013, 2015) and preceded deep playoff runs for the Florida Panthers, who reached the Stanley Cup Final in three consecutive seasons, winning the last two under his guidance.

“A lot of guys that are knocking on the door to the NHL, guys that are in the NHL that are looking like they could be top guys. That’s exciting, and kind of reminded me of the days when I was in Chicago when I was very fortunate to walk into the team there that was ready to go, and, was loaded with young prospects, like a (Jonathan) Toews, (Patrick) Kane, Duncan (Keith). I mean, we had a number of guys that gave us a lot of depth organizationally, and we had a balanced lineup, and I’d love to see that kind of playing out this year.”

—Joel Quenneville

Quenneville expressed optimism about the Ducks’ emerging talent, drawing parallels to his successful Chicago Blackhawks era, which featured a core of promising young players.

Return to the Bench

Quenneville stepped down as Panthers coach in October 2021, following an independent investigation into allegations of sexual assault by a former Chicago Blackhawks video coach in 2010. He was reinstated by the NHL on July 1, 2024, after a meeting with Commissioner Gary Bettman.

The NHL’s team-by-team roster, prospect, and fantasy analysis is ongoing, with the Anaheim Ducks being the focus of the latest installment.

The Ducks’ commitment to rebuilding their roster is evident, with recent analytics showing a significant increase in drafted prospects making their NHL debuts across the league. For example, the Dallas Stars saw six prospects debut in the 2023-24 season, highlighting a league-wide trend of youth integration (NHL.com).

Quenneville‘s arrival marks a pivotal moment for the franchise as they aim to harness their young talent and return to championship contention.