The Detroit Red Wings’ season isn’t going as planned.
I didn’t expect playoffs or much else. I wanted to watch my guys on the ice have some fun, break some eggs, and provide some distraction from my humdrum life. Instead, I’m watching players who are shells of themselves, unable to interact on the ice or on the bench, and appear to be completely different players than they were before.
Whether a fan is casual or knowledgeable about the Detroit Red Wings, they have failed to meet expectations in any manner.
There are numerous reasons why the Detroit Red Wings head coach should be removed of his duties. I’ve discussed one of my many reasons why here. Of course, with the vacancy, someone fresh would need to fill it.
A Twitter poll was conducted to determine who supporters would like to see behind the bench.
These Detroit Red Wings head coach candidates need a closer look
There were only so many slots available. As a result, many options were excluded from consideration. Detroit’s assistant coaches are viable contenders. Given his prowess on the power play and his career in the National Hockey League (NHL), Alex Tanguay has a strong case. Bob Boughner is another name who sparks interesting discussions. Although his penalty kill isn’t working, we don’t know how much say Boughner has over his penalty kill systems, troops, and so on. Boughner does, however, have previous NHL head coaching experience.
If the Detroit Red Wings are concerned about Lalonde’s direction and their usual coach is unavailable, these two are the most likely interim coaches to fill the hole. Tanguay is the guy, in my opinion, since general manager Steve Yzerman isn’t concerned about NHL head coaching credentials, and Tanguay gets the what have you done for me lately bit.
Then there is The Professor. Since 2022-23, Igor Larionov has served as head coach of the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Given his experience as a player-coach in the NHL, where he coached 164 games with 89 wins and 57 losses. His track record as an NHL player is undeniable; it would be worthwhile to pursue him as an NHL head coach, but I don’t see it happening in the middle of the season.
Let’s focus on the lowest two candidates in the poll above.
David Carle received the least number of votes. Interestingly, he got a few with a 5.2% selection rate. If you don’t know him or know anything about him, please let me to introduce you to the University of Denver Pioneers’ two-time championship-winning head coach. Allow me to paraphrase the University of Denver’s biography of Carle:
“David Carle is in his sixth season as Richard and Kitzia Goodman Hockey Head Coach in 2024-25, having been named to the role on May 25, 2018. Carle, the seventh head coach in program history, has guided the Pioneers to five NCAA Tournament trips, three Frozen Four berths, and the 2022 and 2024 NCAA National Championships in his first six seasons.
Denver’s national championship triumph in 2024 was the program’s tenth in 75 years, setting an NCAA record for the most by a collegiate hockey team.
Later in the same post, Carle’s history is shared. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ended his on-ice career, despite his once being a good defenseman.
As the saying goes, when one door closes, another opens, and Carle has enjoyed about as much NCAA success as a coach can. It makes sense to pursue professional hockey in leagues such as the NHL or the American Hockey League (AHL). The question is when and with which team?
Perhaps Carle wants to stay with the Denver Pioneers or his ideal team hasn’t approached him yet, but it appears like the transition will occur sooner rather than later.
At any rate, Carle is a very effective head coach who excels at developing young players. He understands how to mix older and younger players, keep them competitive, and win. Things are a little too foreign for the Detroit Red Wings for my tastes.
On the other hand, we have Dan Watson. The poll’s second lowest scorer is the current head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Detroit Red Wings’ American Hockey League affiliate.
According to the Grand Rapids Griffins website, Watson coached the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL for almost 14 years. Watson has coached 491 games, with a 309-win record, 135 defeats, 30 overtime losses, and 17 shootout losses. Though he is only in his second season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, his team has only gotten better since previous season. As Andrew Rinaldi of The Calder Times points out:
Not bad for someone who is only in his second season as a Grand Rapids Griffins coach.
For what it’s worth, Watson had a steep learning curve. In the ECHL, head coaching duties centered on finding enough players for each game rather than developing players or devising a system. Watson executed an excellent turn.
However, it is not just about wins and defeats on the rink. Guys enjoy playing under Watson’s guidance. Even during sad and tough times, his dressing room remains optimistic.
I’m looking for someone like Jonatan Berggren from last season. While most guys in his circumstances are unhappy, Watson made certain that Berggren was pushed in his role and maintained a cheerful attitude. Watson and Berggren enjoyed remarkable success together.
Although he is new to formal coaching in the AHL and NHL, he has demonstrated that he can make an immediate positive influence. Some players are already familiar with Watson, and others who aren’t should have spent some time with him during training camp.
Watson’s Grand Rapids system is similar to the Detroit Red Wings’, but it works. Granted, it is the AHL, so things may change at the NHL level. However, he persuades players to play defense without limiting their offensive talent. Players are comfortable being themselves, but they also hold themselves accountable.
The main disadvantage to moving Watson up is the uncertainty of who will take over in Grand Rapids.
Development in the AHL is critical for the Detroit Red Wings’ long-term success in the NHL, but if Watson is the proper player for the Red Wings, he should be promoted sooner rather than later. With such a significant shakeup, he is unlikely to be promoted before 2025-26. In this scenario, the temporary coach would most likely be used.
I believe Watson is the man. I’m not sure how long or to what end, but I know he gets the most out of his guys. He’s a voice that players gravitate toward, and he has the ability to revive fading sparks that represent the Detroit Red Wings’ goals and dreams for this season and beyond.
