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At the moment, there are eight vacant head coaching positions in the NHL. The Ducks, Bruins, Blackhawks, Rangers, Flyers, Penguins, Kraken and Canucks are all looking for someone new to lead the club… and we know there are other positions to watch.
Tampa Bay, in particular, is the talk of the town.
So, with so many positions to fill, there are plenty of names floating around the league. And to round up the candidates to watch, Frank Seravalli (Daily Faceoff) has compiled a list of 22 names who could land a head coaching job.
Obviously, Mike Sullivan and Rick Tocchet are on it, as are other experienced coaches. Pascal Vincent's name is also on the list, as is that of Martin St-Louis' assistant, Gerard Gallant.
And yet, among the list is another well-known name in Montreal: Dominique Ducharme. Because yes, there's a real chance of him becoming head coach again in the Bettman circuit.
Sources say former #Canucks assistant Adam Foote has received multiple expressions of interest in head coaching opportunities and interviews are likely soon to follow.
Who else? We might have 11 openings. Here are 22 candidates on the coaching carousel:https://t.co/TL8aP84To3
– Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 1, 2025
We know that Ducharme was head coach of the CH for… less than a year. And during that year, he replaced Claude Julien, took the CH to the Stanley Cup Final, had a rough start to the season and lost his job due to a regime change in town.
Oh yes, and he did all this against the backdrop of a pandemic. Winning conditions, as they say… or not.
That said, for the past two years, Ducharme has been working as an assistant with the Golden Knights. We know he hopes to eventually become a team head coach again, and with so many open positions at the moment, it's safe to assume he has a chance.
He's not the most talked-about candidate… but don't be surprised if his name comes up. After all, a coach who led his team to the final (when they should never have been there in the first place), that's enough to interest a team.
In brief
– Speaking of coaches.
Hearing Ducks have interviewed Jay Woodcroft. Also hear Ducks GM Pat Verbeek recently met with David Carle. Believe Anaheim has also made contact with Mike Sullivan. As reported by others, Joel Quenneville will soon get a second interview. Other names in mix. Wide search by Ducks
– Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 1, 2025
– Ouch… but at least he'll be ready to face the Capitals.
See this post on Instagram
– Juraj Slafkovský's father thinks the CH's future is bright.
Future is bright…#GoHabsGo https://t.co/t3R8uSUZKv
– Juraj Slafkovsky (@jurislaff) May 1, 2025
– Jason Robertson nears a return.
DeBoer says Jason Robertson has gone from “week to week” now to “day to day.” He's skating and making progress, the Stars coach said.
– Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 1, 2025
– Can you believe it?
Things are going really well in Chicago. https://t.co/aqYfKvgy1g
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) May 1, 2025
