Chicago Blackhawks: Fire Head Coach Denis Savard, Name Joel Quennevelle New Coach

Denis Savard was just officially fired as the Chicago Blackhawks head coach. After only four games, the organization handed down the decision earlier today and officially announced the decision this afternoon. They cited a desire to develop young players and create a consistent system of development and improvement. General manager Dale Tallon stated during the press conference that the decision was not soley based on the opening weeks of the season but from a series of evaluations from the beginning of training camp.

They have named former Colorado Avalanche coach Joel Quennvelle as the Hawks new coach. Quennvelle was brought on as a scout and consultant three weeks earlier by the organization. “I’m extremely excited to start working with our group…it was different watching from a far and the appetite is already with me…It’s all about winning, that’s what I’m ready to do”

Press members speculated that Quennvelle was brought on and “waiting in the wings”. Tallon assured press members that the decision to bring in Quennvelle. The decision to fire a coach, who is openly loved by fans and coaches this soon in the year, has some brows furrowed in confusion. The press and Chicago are quite taken aback by the decision this soon in the year, but management stated, “There’s no good time.”

Tallon specifically stated, “It was a flat camp…we got out of the gate flat. We didn’t seem to carry over the energy we had at the end of the year last year. We felt that we needed to send a message.” With quite a bit of young talent on the team, the Hawks made a good stab at the playoffs at the end of the year. Savard was an integral part of that move, developing extremely young players into a quality unit on the ice. Something that Chicago hadn’t seen.

While the team had won 5 preseason games, they went 1-3 in the opening weeks of the season. Savard seemed to be developing momentum in the city with a young, talented squad.

It was quite a shocking decision. There were no real talk or speculation that Savard would go before this. Chicago fans and players will certainly be scratching their heads for some time. Speculation of a goaltender controversy between Cristobal Huet and Nikolai Khabibulin. Denis Savard went out last year, against the will of management, and acquired the veteran Khabibulin. Others wonder if it has to do with the salary cap and as a business move to get the Blackhawks into the players after a major marketing campaign.

Getting Chicago to “commit to the Indian” might be tough until the Hawks start racking up the wins, but only time will tell. There are no true answers right now, but fans will certainly be talking about this decision until June.

[tags]hockey, chicago blackhawks, denis savard, nhl,[/tags]

Tags: Chicago Blackhawks, Dale Tallon, Denis Savard, Joel Quennvelle

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