Report: Flyers passed on Quenneville

In case you missed it yesterday, Philadelphia Flyers president Paul Holmgren announced that the team has relieved general manager Ron Hextall of his duties.

Today, Holmgren met with the media for an official press conference on the news but offered up little for fans in regards to his plans moving forward. There was some talk of “philosophical differences” between Hextall and himself, but again Holmgren offered up very little with regard to tangible, actual changes coming for this team.

One big question still left up in the air… what’s the future hold for head coach Dave Hakstol? Many Flyers fans expected Hakstol would be the one to walk to plank for the team’s poor start, not Hextall. Yet, he were are a quarter into the season and four NHL coaches have been fired while Hakstol remains behind the Flyers bench. Crazy.

When asked point blank what the plan is for Hakstol and the coaching position, Holmgren deferred that decision to Hextall’s predecessor… whomever it may be.

Holmgren: “I’d hate to say Dave Hakstol’s fate is in the hands of the new GM, but it is.”

Even more telling was the fact that Flyers CEO Dave Scott admitted that the team considered hiring former Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville, but elected to pass and keep Hakstol on board.

Check it out:

Dave Scott said that Joel Quenneville’s name came up immediately when Chicago let him go, but Hextall wanted to keep on his path. Quenneville may be an option now, but it will be up to the new general manager.

You have to wonder now if that plan goes out the window, along with Hextall. There’s no denying that Coach Q would be a good fit with the Flyers. The veteran coach has a history of getting the most out of his veterans and the Flyers are a veteran laden squad ready to win now. The only problem is… can Coach Q play goal?