DALLAS — Both head coaches in the NHL’s Western Conference finals, Detroit’s Mike Babcock and Dallas’ Dave Tippett, are Joel Quenneville’s friends.
So it wasn’t much of a surprise when both Babcock and Tippett expressed sympathy for the ousted Avalanche coach on the morning of Game 3 at the American Airlines Center.
“It’s a little bit of a surprise,” Tippett said. “I know there’s always stuff that sometimes makes it better for both parties to go their own directions.”
Tippett also worked with Avalanche general manager Francois Giguere when Giguere was in the Stars’ front office.
“I know Francois from him being here, and I know Joel very well from being a (Hartford Whalers) teammate and a friend,” Tippett said. “Sometimes, it’s just time to make a split and move on.”
Tippett said he had spoken with Quenneville since the decision was announced Friday.
“It was very generic,” Tippett said. “He’s a guy who respects the game a great deal, and part of that respect is respecting each other and moving on.
“I think Joel did a great job with their injuries and getting that team into the playoffs. I think Joel is a great coach. The one thing you know is that you always get a feel for a coach when you coach against him. Joel’s one of the top coaches in the league.”
Babcock gave it even more of a positive spin.
“Good for Joel,” Babcock said. “He’s a hot commodity now, and he’s out in the market. I think he’s a heck of a coach. I think he does a good job. He got his team two of the last three years out of the first round.
“They were really hurt this year, and he still managed to do it. So, I mean, probably ‘Boo’ (Quenneville’s wife) and his family didn’t want to leave, but in saying that, it will be new opportunity. He’ll get a great deal and probably with a good team. So all the power to him.”
