David Carle (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
According to an NHL executive source, the Chicago Blackhawks are ready to make an offer to Denver University head coach David Carle that they hope the two-time NCAA champion can’t refuse and make him the next head coach of the Original Six franchise.
“They’re ready to show him the money if the situation presents itself,” the source told RG recently.
After firing Luke Richardson and making Anders Sorenson the interim head coach back on December 5, the Blackhawks’ young team continued to struggle. Their 4-3 overtime win over the Ottawa Senators left them 17-30-9 since the coaching change, and it appears that general manager Kyle Davidson is ready to make the third coaching change of his tenure as Blackhawks GM.
According to this source, though, the Blackhawks are one of the numerous teams that appear ready to try and lure the 35-year-old Carle away from one of the most prestigious and blue-blood NCAA hockey programs.
“They’re not the only ones, but I’m told they want him badly, and if he’s interested, they’re going to do whatever it takes to get him to Chicago and become the guy to lead this rebuild,” the source said.
“He’s proven what he can do development-wise, and they want him to help the blue chippers they have and have coming.”
This source did note that there’s still a chance that Sorenson could stay on as an assistant or find another role in the Blackhawks organization.
As for whether or not Carle will leave the perfect setup he has in Denver, that appears to be the main obstacle for the Blackhawks in the opinion of another source.
“This is just my opinion, but I think that job is his if he wants it, and yeah, other teams are gunning for him, but why wouldn’t you want a chance to develop what they have with [Connor] Bedard, and all the other high-end prospects they have,” this source opined.
“Denver obviously came close again, and they could still get back to the Frozen Four next season, so does he want another title there before he makes the jump? I’m not sure, but what I am sure of is he has a lot of money waiting for him with the Blackhawks and a chance to build an NHL program too.”
This source also expects other teams like the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins to look into Carle if they haven’t already, and added two more teams—should they make a coaching change—to go after Carle.
“I would keep an eye on Utah and Seattle, too,” the source said.
In seven seasons behind the bench for the Pioneers, Carle has gone 179-74-17. In addition to winning the 2022 and 2024 national championships under Carle, Denver has been to the Frozen Four four times and the NCAA tournament six times.
James Murphy
With 24 years of experience (SiriusXM NHL Network Radio, ESPN Boston, NESN, NHL.com, etc.) covering the Bruins, the NHL, NCAA and junior hockey, and more, Jimmy Murphy’s hockey black book is filled with Hall of Famers, current players, coaches, management, scouts and a wide array of hockey media personalities that have lived in and around this great game. For 22 of his 24 years as a hockey and sports reporter, Murphy covered the Bruins on a daily basis, including their victorious 2011 Stanley Cup run and their runs to the 2013 and 2019 Finals. Murphy is currently a co-host, along with Pierre McGuire, on The Eye Test Podcast.
