Joel Quenneville Done With Avalanche - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

(Technically, he isn't getting fired, as his contract is up. Just an FYI.)

The Colorado Avalanche are now looking for a new head coach.

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that Joel Quenneville will not return to coach the team next season.

"After meeting with Joel, we mutually agreed that the best decision for both parties involved is to go separate ways," said Avalanche Executive Vice President & General Manager Francois Giguere. "On behalf of the organization, I want to thank Joel for his years of service and wish him the best in his coaching career."

I have to admit that I'm surprised by this. I thought Quenneville did a super job in the Avs' first-round upset of Minnesota, and the injuries that played a large role in Detroit's second-round sweep weren't his fault.

However, the Avalanche were practically non-competitive during that series, especially in that Game Four embarrassment. It's one thing to get run off the rink, and it's another to look like you're going through the motions.

I may be surprised, but Rick Sadowski of the Rocky Mountain News was a day ahead of the story.

(Tap of the stick: Kukla's Korner.)