Flyers fire Dave Hakstol, which potentially opens door for Joel Quenneville

The Flyers fired coach Dave Hakstol on Monday, potentially opening the door for former Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville to take over.

The move came less than 24 hours after the South Jersey-based Courier-Post reported that Hakstol’s firing was imminent and that Quenneville was expected to replace him.

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Quenneville and Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher denied the report Sunday, according to Fox Sports Midwest.

The Flyers, who have lost five of their last six games, named Scott Gordon interim coach. Gordon was previously with Flyers’ American Hockey League affiliate, where he had served as coach since 2015.

Hakstol’s firing represents the latest turnover in the Flyers’ organization. Two weeks ago, the team fired GM Ron Hextall and replaced him with Fletcher.

Fletcher told TSN he expects Gordon to be the Flyers’ coach for the rest of the season. He also said he hasn’t spoken to Quenneville in two years.

The Flyers would have to get the Hawks’ permission to speak with Quenneville because he’s technically under contract with them through the 2019-20 season. Fletcher said the Flyers hadn’t approached the Hawks about Quenneville.

Quenneville, a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Hawks and the second-winningest coach in franchise history, was fired last month amid a five-game losing streak. He was replaced by 33-year-old Jeremy Colliton. After going 6-6-3 in their first 15 games under Quenneville, the Hawks have gone 4-13-3 under Colliton.