NHL Insider reveals David Carle is the Chicago Blackhawks' top target in head coach search

Hockey insider Frank Seravalli said on the Chicago Blackhawks television broadcast that after five months of putting together a list of candidates, one name has emerged at the top of the list.

It is a candidate that many are hoping will accept the job.

According to Seravalli, University of Denver head coach David Carle is the name circled at the top of general manager Kyle Davidson's list.

Carle seems like the ideal fit to lead the Blackhawks through the next stage of the rebuild.

He has had success at the NCAA level, winning two National Championships, and while also coaching Team USA to World Junior gold medals.

Plus, he has worked with youngsters such as Oliver Moore and Frank Nazar when they were both playing for Team USA. Aidan Thompson is another promising prospect who won a title with Carle at Denver.

Granted, winning at the NCAA level is completely different than winning in the NHL. However, the Blackhawks need a teacher to grow the baby Blackhawks into champions.

Luke Richardson was supposed to be that guy, but superstar Connor Bedard regressed under Richardson, which is a big reason the Hawks currently have a vacancy.

Anders Sorenson is a nice guy and all, but he is too quiet to be an effective leader at the NHL level.

That is why the Blackhawks are looking for their fifth head coach since firing the legendary Joel Quenneville.

His style of play fits what the Hawks have in their prospect pool.

Carle's Denver teams have been high scoring on the offensive end and suffocating on the defensive side.

It is one reason why there is a belief that Carle is the right man for the job despite only being 35 and never having coached or played in the NHL. A health issue prevented him from ever suiting up after his junior-level days were over, even though he was drafted in the seventh round by Tampa.

He is well-versed in working at the development level after being an assistant coach for the USHL Green Bay Gamblers before becoming an assistant at Denver, where the program won a National Championship in 2017.

Pretty much the man wins and players thrive under his direction.

The problem will be convincing Carle to leave Denver since he has it pretty good there and full control over the roster.

Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman shared a few days ago that Carle is not leaving Denver unless the situation is good both financially and competitively. Although a rebuilding team does not mean he will not consider talking with that club, so long as it has the players to eventually win.

The Blackhawks already have the franchise cornerstone in Bedard. They have another young forward who flashed the potential to be great in Nazar, a player Carle knows well.

They also have more young forwards now officially in the fold in Moore, Thompson, and Ryan Greene. Plus, Landon Slaggert still has the potential to be a solid player to make up a good core on the offensive end. Let's not forget, the Hawks have a chance to draft a difference maker with another top-five pick.

Add in one of the most promising collections of young defensemen and a young goalie in Spencer Knight, who has proven he can be productive in NHL, and you've got to like the Blackhawks' chances so long as they can meet Carle's financial demands.