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Blackhawks New Head Coach Search Narrowed Down to These Specific Names

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Joshua Deeds
December 9, 2024 (6:59 PM)

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The Chicago Blackhawks fired Luke Richardson because GM Kyle Davidson felt the team needed a new voice.

With Anders Sorensen taking the reins as interim coach, the Blackhawks will have plenty of eligible candidates for the role.

Since they missed out on President's Trophy-winning coach Jim Montgomery, they'll have to dip their toes in the NHL re-treads.

Before Davidson spoke with the media on Friday morning, Scott Powers over at The Athletic put together a list of ten candidates. Here are the names on his list:

Jay Woodcroft
Todd McLellan
Dave Hakstol
Gerard Gallant
Dave Quinn
Jeff Blashill
Don Granato
Todd Nelson
Jay Leach
Bruce Boudreau

Should they? Given Davidson's commitment to doing things differently in the NHL, embracing a new outlook instead of hiring a re-tread maybe he should look outside of the NHL for a new leader.

While the laundry list above has many promising names we could find a reason to hire( Jay Woodcroft anyone?), we could also consider an unexpected spot to hire from, the NCHC.

They should, and could consider David Carle of the University of Denver Hockey program.

Carle's .690 winning percentage entering 2024-25 is presently the best all-time among Denver hockey coaches.

Carle has a long tenure at Denver University and is in his seventh year behind the bench. He has a winning record of 148-62-16 overall, with the DU Pioneers, and is already familiar with some Blackhawks prospects.

Including Cole Guttman, Aidan Thompson, and Ian Mitchell, who he has seen through the program since 2018. He'd be great at developing talent and has institutional knowledge of Blackhawks prospects.

I'll also not that, on the 2024 USA National Junior Team that won gold at the World Juniors, Carle coached Blackhawks prospects Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore, Sam Rinzel and Gavin Hayes. And, this season in the NCHC, he's coaching against Sacha Boisvert, Dominic James and Adam Gajan.

The Pioneers head coach is no stranger to winning and has seen the post-season five times out of his seven-year tenure.

If Anders Sorensen doesn't work out at the end of the season, Kyle Davidson should at least put out feelers to see if Carle would be interested in a promotion from the NCHC to the NHL.

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

We Now Know When We'll See Frank Nazar Called Up To The Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks' Legend Chris Chelios Makes Statement on Luke Richardson's firing and It Causes a Stir

Connor Bedard Delivers Awestruck Comment About LA Lakers' LeBron James

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DECEMBRE 9 \| 131 ANSWERS Blackhawks New Head Coach Search Narrowed Down to These Specific Names Should GM Kyle Davidson of the Chicago Blackhawks hire Head Coach David Carle of the DU Pioneers?
Yes	41	31.3 %
No	90	68.7 %
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Blackhawks New Head Coach Search Narrowed Down to These Specific Names

The Chicago Blackhawks fired Luke Richardson because GM Kyle Davidson felt the team needed a new voice.

Should GM Kyle Davidson of the Chicago Blackhawks hire Head Coach David Carle of the DU Pioneers?