New Chicago Blackhawks coaching candidates emerge after David Carle declines offer

The Chicago Blackhawks have to pivot after David Carle removed himself from consideration for the Head Coaching role in the Windy City.

Fortunately for GM Kyle Davidson, there are numerous candidates available who aren't David Carle and would be able to push the team's rebuild forward.

Negotiations have gone sour on a contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks and Rick Tocchet. Tocchet's option wasn't picked up by the team, and it'd be his decision whether or not to re-sign with the team. He helped push the Canucks into the Western Conference Semi Finals last season. The only question is if he'd want to coach through a rebuild, given there may be other options available.

Vincent was named the 2024-2025 AHL coach of the year with the Laval Rocket. He spent the last two years with the Columbus Blue Jackets and spent some time in Winnipeg as an assistant. He has limited coaching experience in the NHL, but Chicago could provide him a new opportunity to prove himself.

Jay Woodcroft turned an Edmonton Oilers team around that was failing under Dave Tippett. He'd soon be fired after a short stint in Oilers territory, where he'd coach one full season (2022-2023) and would take the Oilers to two trips to the postseason (2021-2022 and 2022-2023). Before assuming the head coaching role in Edmonton, he served as the Bakersfield Condors head coach (winning a championship in 2021) and spent seven years as an assistant in San Jose.

Sturm, aged 46, has never had a shot at a full-time coaching role in the NHL. He is currently overseeing the bench boss role in the AHL with the Ontario Reign, and has served as an assistant coach before with the Kings.

Brad Shaw has spent the majority of his career as an assistant coach in St. Louis (a decade), while backing up John Tortorella in Columbus, and now in Philadelphia. Shaw has put in his time to earn some consideration for a head coaching role in the NHL, and has overseen the Flyers last nine games with a 5-3-1 record.

He spent 40 games assuming the head coaching role with the New York Islanders in 2005-2006, and has been a key figure in developing NHL players and systems. It's not unreasonable to think he's due a promotion.

Bylsma's reign in Seattle was short. The length of GM Ron Francis' leash on Byslma was surprising given his history of success, winning a Stanley Cup in 2008-2009 with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He led the Coachella Valley Firebirds to two consecutive Calder Cup finals before being promoted to Seattle this past season with Jessica Campbell.

He's led young players before in Pittsburgh during the 2008-2009 season, and we'd wonder if he'd be interested in taking on a new role in another rebuilding organization here in Chicago.