Detroit Red Wings new head coach candidates

The Detroit Red Wings season isn’t going according to anyone’s plan.

For me, I didn’t expect playoffs or much really. I wanted to watch my guys on the ice have some fun, break some eggs, and provide some entertainment from my mundane life. Instead, I’m watching players who are shells of themselves, who can’t communicate on the ice or bench, and look like they are completely different players than they once were.

Whether a fan is casual or advanced in their ways of the Detroit Red Wings, they have not measured up in any capacity.

There are countless reasons why the Detroit Red Wings head coach needs to be relieved of his duties. I’ve talked about one of my many reasons why here. Of course, with the vacancy, a new face would need to fill it. 

A poll was sent out on the Twitterverse to find out who fans might like behind the bench. 

These Detroit Red Wings head coach candidates need a closer look

There were only so many slots available. So, plenty of options were left off of the board.

The assistant coaches in Detroit are viable candidates. Since the power play is so successful and this guy’s history in the National Hockey League (NHL), there’s a great argument to be made for Alex Tanguay. Bob Boughner is another name who creates viable discussions. Although his penalty kill isn’t working, we aren’t privy to the amount of say Boughner has in his penalty kill systems, units, etc. Boughner does have, however, NHL head coaching experience. If the Detroit Red Wings are extremely concerned with the direction Lalonde is going and their guy isn’t available, these two would be the most likely interim coaches to fill the void. My gut tells me Tanguay would be the guy since general manager Steve Yzerman hasn’t been concerned with NHL head coaching experience and the what have you done for me lately bit goes to Tanguay.

Then, there is The Professor. Igor Larionov has been the head coach of the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia since 2022-23. Given his history as a player-coach in the NHL, where he’s coached 164 games, recording 89 wins and 57 losses. His track record in the NHL is undeniable as a player, it would be worthwhile to pursue him as an NHL head coach, but I don’t see it happening midseason.

Out of the remaining candidates, let’s focus on the bottom two in the poll above.

David Carle received the least amount of votes. Interestingly enough, he received a few with a 5.2% selection rate. If you don’t know him or know much about him, let me introduce you to the University of Denver Pioneers’ two-time championship-winning head coach. Allow me to quote the University of Denver’s bio on Carle:

“David Carle is in his seventh season as the Richard and Kitzia Goodman Hockey Head Coach in 2024-25 after being named to the position on May 25, 2018. The ninth head coach in program history, Carle has led the Pioneers to five NCAA Tournament appearances, three Frozen Four berths and the 2022 and 2024 NCAA National Championship in his first six campaigns behind the bench. Denver’s national championship victory in 2024 was the program’s 10th in its 75-year history and set the NCAA record for the most-ever by a college hockey team.”

Later on in the same post, it shares Carle’s history. Once a promising defenseman himself, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ended his on-ice career. 

As they say, when one door closes, another opens and Carle has had about as much success in the NCAA as a coach can have. Taking the next step to professional hockey like the NHL or American Hockey League (AHL) makes sense. The question is when and with what team?

Maybe Carle wants to remain with the Denver Pioneers or his dream team hasn’t come knocking yet, but seems like the transition will happen sooner rather than later.

At any rate, Carle is a very successful head coach and is great at developing young players. He knows how to balance the older and younger players, keep them competitive, and win. Things a bit too foreign for the Detroit Red Wings for my liking.

On the other hand, we have Dan Watson. The second lowest score in the poll, and the current head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins, the AHL affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings. 

According to the Grand Rapids Griffins website, Watson coached with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL for over 14 years. For those people who demand numbers, Watson has coached 491 games and has a record of 309 wins, 135 losses, 30 overtime losses, and 17 shootout losses. Though only in his second season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, his team has only improved since last season. As writer Andrew Rinaldi, of The Calder Times, points out:

Not bad for a guy in only his second season behind the bench for the Grand Rapids Griffins. 

For what it’s worth, too, there was a steep learning curve for Watson. In the ECHL head coaching duties were more about finding enough players for each game than developing players or coming up with a system. Watson pivoted tremendously well.

It’s not just about the on-ice wins and losses, though. Guys love playing under Watson’s direction. His dressing room is upbeat even in dark and difficult times. 

I look to a guy like Jonatan Berggren last season. While guys in his situation aren’t happy, Watson made sure to keep Berggren challenged in his role and keep his outlook positive. Watson and Berggren found great success together.  

Although he’s a bit green in terms of formal coaching in the ways of the AHL and NHL, he’s proven he can make an impact and make an impact quickly in a positive way. Some players are already comfortable with Watson, and those who don’t know him well should have spent time with him at training camp in some capacity. 

Watson’s system in Grand Rapids mirrors the Detroit Red Wings, only his system works. Granted, it is the AHL level, so things can change at the NHL level. However, he gets players to buy into playing defense while not suffocating their offensive talent. Players feel comfortable being themselves but also hold themselves accountable. 

The biggest drawback to moving Watson up is the concern of who takes over in Grand Rapids. 

Development in the AHL is imperative for a long line of success for the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL, but if Watson is the right guy for the Detroit Red Wings, then he should move up sooner rather than later. With this big of a shake-up, though, he likely wouldn’t be promoted until 2025-26. In this circumstance, the interim coach would probably be used.

I think Watson is the guy. I’m not sure for how long or to what end, but I know that he brings the best out of his players. He’s a voice that players gravitate towards and can reignite dying sparks that are the Detroit Red Wings’ hopes and dreams for this season and beyond.