By: Chris Nosek

The New York Rangers hired arguably the best coaching candidate on the market and made sure no one else would sign Mike Sullivan. So who else could teams be looking at for their open head coaching position?

Dan Bylsma

Bylsma has been a head coach before and helped lead the 2008-09 Pittsburg Penguins to the Stanley Cup. He’s been a head coach in the AHL and NHL with numerous stops along the way. While he just lost his job with the Seattle Kraken, he is a strong candidate for any organization as coaching was not the Kraken’s biggest problem this season. He’s spent time with Detroit, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and the Islanders in the NHL. LA would have been a landing spot, and still could be if they move on from Hiller, however the recent departure of Rob Blake might make him decide not to go there. The Ducks job might be appealing given they are close to what he thought he was signing on for in Seattle, but have a greater talent pool than Seattle did.

David Carle

The 35-year-old is currently the Head Coach for the University of Denver and recently told the Chicago Blackhawks he wasn’t interested in their coaching vacancy. The likelihood of him deciding to jump to the NHL after just having another child, is very low. He’s had great success with the University of Denver and at only 35-years-old he will have plenty of time to coach in the NHL. We will see him make the jump one day, but this isn’t when it will happen.

Greg Cronin

Cronin has been a coach at all levels, from coaching the U18 National Team to the NCAA and both the AHL and NHL. He was just relieved of his duties from the Anaheim Ducks where he posted a 62-87 record with 15 losses in overtime. The roster was very young, and while he got them to play well on numerous occasions, scoring was a massive problem for them. With where the Bruins and Blackhawks rosters currently sit, I’m not sure either make a great fit for him. He will likely get some consideration from the Bruins as he’s already made it known he would be interested in the job calling it a “dream opportunity.”If I had to guess though, I think he joins a staff as an assistant for couple of seasons before leading the bench again on his own.

Jay Leach

Leach has only been a head coach with the Providence Bruins, but has been an assistant in both Boston and Seattle. The Bruins made a concerted effort to bring him back after three seasons of him being in Seattle. He’s made some scouting trip since the Bruins’ season ended, so I don’t see him leaving the organization. During his time in Providence he led coaching staffs that included current Providence coaches Ryan Mougenel and Trent Whitfield along with having current Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery under him. Baring a possible desire to get more involved in player development (something Sweeney went out of his way to praise him for when Boston brought him back), I would consider him a strong candidate for the Boston job. I don’t see him going anywhere else at this time, but a team like the Penguins or Canucks could give him some leeway to work with as a first-time NHL head coach.

Jay Pandolfo

About to enter his fifth season as Head Coach of Boston University, Pandolof’s name has been tossed out there a few times, especially for the Bruins job. He was an assistant with the Bruins for five seasons so the match makes sense. The problem is that he’s been to the Frozen Four every season he’s been at BU, has no reason to leave, and his son will be playing NCAA in a couple seasons. Barring something major going wrong at BU, Pandolfo will likely be there through the end of his son’s NCAA career.

Jay Woodcroft

Woodcroft got his first head coaching opportunity with the Edmonton Oilers after only four seasons with the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL. The team finished second in the division each of the years he was there, however he was fired early in the 2023-24 season after a very poor start. His decision to change the defensive scheme, not bench players after costly mistakes, and not make adjustments might turn teams away from hiring him. He did not coach during the 2024-25 season so I’m not sure a head coaching job would be his first back, but he should be back in the league as an assistant soon enough and then he can work back up to the main job.

Jeff Blashill

I’m not sure any of the open jobs would be of much interest to Jeff Blashill given his experience with the Detroit Red Wings. He only had one trip to the postseason during a seven year tenure, whereas he has been on Jon Cooper’s staff in Tampa Bay for the past three seasons. He’s also coached in the NCAA and the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL. I could see some interest in the Boston or Pittsburgh jobs given their goals to get back to contention as quickly as possible and both have other-worldly players in David Pastrnak and Sidney Crosby. I think the Boston job would be the better fit, but I’m not sure that’s going to happen for him.

Jeff Daniels

An assistant coach with the Carolina Hurricanes for 12 years now, Daniels has also been the Head Coach and General Manager for the Charlotte Checkers as well. He would be a great coaching candidate for any team that would bring him on. During his playing career he also spent time with Pittsburgh, Florida, and Nashville. I’m just not sure that he will be looking to leave an organization he’s been with for 22 seasons.

Joel Quenneville

The Ducks have interviewed the four-time Stanley Cup champion, but so far haven’t offered him a contract. I don’t see any team offering him a contract any time soon. After the events that occurred in Chicago during his tenure, most teams won’t be the ones who give him that second chance (whether you believe he deserves one or not). This cycle, the Ducks would be his best chance. Boston won’t consider and interview given their recent history of signing Mitchell Miller and there’s absolutely no way he’s going back to Chicago. Unless it’s the Ducks, I don’t see him getting a job this year.

Joe Sacco

Sacco was a good soldier down the road for the Bruins season. He was not put in a great position and certainly made his mistakes, but the team was already in a rough spot. He’s been an assistant for a long time and got his second taste of the head coaching role this season as interim after the firing of Jim Montgomery. He’s definitely learned from his first job in Colorado, but has more to learn going forward. He will well liked by David Pastrnak so he’ll likely stick around Boston. I think the Bruins are giving him serious consideration for the permanent job, but they will definitely do their due diligence. If he were to leave Boston, he could also work in Anaheim or Philadelphia, other younger rosters he could grow and learn with.

John Gruden

Finally getting a chance in the AHL to be a head coach, Gruden has strong connections to Boston given he was an assistant to Jim Montgomery during their record setting 2022-23 season. He worked primarily with the defense which was incredible that season and their transition game was the best it’s been in recent memory. With the Toronto Marlies he has amased a record of 71-49-14 over two seasons. He could work wonders with the young defense in Anaheim or with Quinn Hughes in Vancouver. The biggest question around Gruden is whether or not he feels ready to jump to the NHL so soon.

John Stevens

Stevens has a little over four years experience as an NHL head coach from his time with the Philadelphia Flyers. He held that role after being promoted due to his work with the Philadelphia Phantoms, a time during which he won the Calder Cup in 2004-05. He’s been an assistant coach with the Kings, Stars, and now Golden Knights and might be looking for his next head coaching opportunity. He won two Stanley Cups with the Kings and one with the Kings and checks all the boxes that Don Sweeney mentioned during his press conference. He would bring an outside perspective to any organization on the list – in particular Boston. I think Boston may give him serious consideration as long as the interest is mutual.

John Tortorella

There’s been a lot of talk about him going to join Mike Sullivan’s staff with the Rangers, but I just don’t see it. After his comments about the Philadelphia Flyers, I don’t see how or why he would look to become an assistant coach for a team that is trying to shift focus to a new, younger core. This is also why he wouldn’t fit in Anaheim, Boston, or Chicago. His best fit would probably be with the Penguins. After the drama that went through the Vancouver locker room, I’m not sure he would want to join that organization and he would likely be excited to work in a “win-now” situation with Sidney Crosby and company. I don’t see it happening, but those are the two most likely for him this season.

Jon Cooper

The idea of Jon Cooper and the Tampa Bay Lightning was always a ridiculous notion that never made sense. The organization had no need to move on from him and he had no reason to resign. This was backed up by statements made by general manager Julien BriseBois after their round one loss to the Florida Panthers. He’s well paid and in charge of a competitive team every season, he has no reason to want out.

Lane Lambert

Another long time assistant, Lambert got his first taste as a head coach during a year and a half long stint with the New York Islanders. Prior to that he was a head coach for the Bridgeport Soundtigers and Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL and an assistant with the Predators and Capitals. He was replaced in the New York by Patrick Roy, but that move was a big surprise by Lou Lamoriello. Currently he’s on Craig Berube’s staff in Toronto and the further they go the more likely he will be considered for a head coaching position he applies for. He could be a fit in one way or another for any of the teams currently looking.

Marc Savard

Every time coaching comes up in Boston fans constantly throw Savard’s name in the mix. As it turns out, the Bruins legend has approached the team on numerous occasions for coaching vacancies to always be told no. At this point they would have to throw an incredible offer at him for him to consider taking it. Currently he’s part of Craig Berube’s staff in Toronto, but I’m sure he’s on many teams radar for a future opening. He only has OHL head coaching experience so I’m not sure his first opportunity would come in the NHL, but there’s always a chance, especially with a highly talented team like Anaheim or Chicago.

Misha Donskov

Donskov is an extremely popular name being thrown out there for head coaching vacancies and that is well deserved. He has been in player development at the pro and youth levels and worked his way up from video coach to assistant coach. He was also the Director of Hockey Operations for the Vegas Golden Knights before transitioning to their coaching staff. He has won World Championships, the 4 Nations Face Off, and a Stanley Cup along the way and will likely be looking to lead his own bench. He is someone even the Bruins could offer a longer contract to and allow to grow into the role of Head Coach. I think he would be a very strong candidate for any job he goes for, especially the Boston job. We’ll have to wait until Dallas is done with their playoff run to find out what he decides is next for him.

Newell Brown

Brown has been an assistant coach for 28 years. Currently he is part of Jim Hiller’s staff in Los Angeles. If he hasn’t tried to make the jump to Head Coach yet, he probably enjoys his role as it is. He’s bounced around quite a bit since he made the move from the AHL to the NHL. He’s had multiple stops in Anaheim along with stints in Chicago, Vancouver, Arizona, Columbus, and now Los Angeles. Maybe he finally tries for a head coaching opportunity, but I wouldn’t put money on it.

Patrick Roy

Roy’s name is getting put out there because the New York Islanders have announced they will be moving on from General Manager Lou Lamoriello. This means that there is a chance whoever replaces Lamoriello may want to bring in their own head coach. This would put Roy on the coaching free agent market. He’s made it known that he wants to be involved in roster construction and other decisions so I don’t think Boston or Anaheim would be great fits, but if he were to become available Chicago could be an option. Until he’s officially on the market, there is no real conversation about his candidacy.

Peter Laviolette

Similar to Tortorella, Laviolette would need a team that is in a “win-now” situation. He’s worked with Paul Maurice, Craig Berube, and John Hynes and has a Stanley Cup championship from 2005-06. He’s coached for Carolina, Nashville, Washington, and most recently Vancouver. He has a history of short-term success but flaming out over the long-term. I don’t see the fit with Pittsburg, Anaheim, Chicago, or Philadelphia as they will likely take longer than a year or two to get back to true cup contention. I’m not sure how much Boston would consider him but he did work under Pat Burns and in Providence back in 1998-2000. If they really plan on a quick turn around he could fit in there, but I feel like they’re looking a different direction.

Rick Tocchet

Tocchet is one of the best candidates on the market and will probably receive interest from every team looking for a coach. He’s won two Stanley Cups, a Jack Adams, and this years 4 Nations Face Off. He didn’t have a great roster to work with in Arizona, but this season in Vancouver was a drama-filled year. He would be a great fit with any of the teams looking for a head coach right now, but given his 11-year playing career in Philadelphia, it’s probably safe to say they are the lead candidate for his services. Philadelphia, like Boston, would want to lock him in with some term, something he’ll probably be looking for as well.

Ryan Mougenel

Mougenel has been working his way up the coaching later since starting with the Fresno Falcons on the ECHL. He’s been with Providence since the 2018-19 season where has been the head coach for the past four years. He’s done a solid job for the Baby B’s, and likely would only be in the running for the Boston job. He’s worked with San Jose Barracuda, Worcester Sharks, and Hershey Bears as well, but never in the NHL. I don’t see his first NHL coaching job being with the Boston Bruins as they’re currently constituted, and I’m not sure he’ll be looking to leave the Bruins organization any time soon as long as the Providence job is his.