NHL Rumors: Ducks and Flames interested in Randy Carlyle
The Ducks and the Flames are both reportedly interested in Randy Carlyle for their respective vacant head coaching jobs.
After the Anaheim Ducks fired Bruce Boudreau, they’ve been patient in looking for their next head coach. Boudreau eventually decided to join the Minnesota Wild as their head coach, choosing the Wild over the Ottawa Senators and the Calgary Flames.
The Senators quickly hired Guy Boucher as their head coach, leaving the head coach market remarkably barren. With few options available, the Ducks and the Flames have both expressed interest in former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle.
On the topic of coaches...hearing that Randy Carlyle is on the list for both the Flames and the Ducks...yes, the Ducks.
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) May 19, 2016
Carlyle would be an interesting fit with the Ducks because he won the Stanley Cup with them during the 2006-07 season. He previously coached the Ducks from the 2005-06 season to November of the 2011-12 season. Carlyle also coached the Maple Leafs from the 2011-12 season to the 2014-15 season, when he was fired after 40 games.
He has not coached since being fired from the Leafs. His coaching style is generally considered to be old-school. He has had success in the past with a .574 regular season point percentage and a .565 playoff point percentage. However, his time with the Maple Leafs was less than ideal.
In today’s NHL that focuses heavily on puck possession and speed, Carlyle might not be a great fit as a head coach anymore. Still, with his experience, he’s likely the best head coach candidate on the market and is certainly the most qualified one.
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