Joel Quenneville became the second coach to be fired this week after the Colorado Avalanche decided not to bring him back for a fourth season. The announcement came a week after Colorado was swept by the Detroit Red Wings in the semifinals.

"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 and 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."

In three seasons as Colorado’s head coach, Quenneville guided the Avalanche to a 131-92-23 record and made the playoffs twice. His first head coaching job came with the St. Louis Blues during the 1996-97 season and lasted eight years, and became the all-time wins leader in franchise history with 307 victories. Quenneville served as an assistant coach with the Avalanche before moving on to St. Louis and was an assistant with the Avalanche during their 1996 Stanley Cup victory.

"I look back at the three seasons, and we've got a lot to be proud of. We accomplished a couple of playoff victories and had a couple of tough endings," Quenneville said. "It was a great place to live and work, and it was a privilege for me and my family to be here.

The Avalanche will begin the process of looking for a new head coach. Tony Granato, who served as head coach of the Avalanche from 2002-04, is an unlikely candidate to be promoted once again. Instead, the Avalanche will likely look for a more experienced coach and Paul Maurice, who was recently fired by Toronto, might be on the top of their list.

Pat Burns and Patrick Roy are other possibilities. Burns remains under contract to the New Jersey Devils, but the Devils will grant permission to the Avalanche if they wish to speak with Burns before then. He has stated that he wants to get back into the action, and he employs the same defensive style that Quenneville had. Patrick Roy, better known for backstopping the Avalanche to Stanley Cup wins in 1996 and 2001, is a long-shot to take the helm in Colorado; as always with the Avalanche, expect the unexpected.

With Quenneville now on the market, the Toronto Maple Leafs might grab the opportunity to bring in the Windsor, Ontario native. The Florida Panthers are also in need of a coach, and Quenneville just might be the right man for the job.