As the offseason looms, so too does the Chicago Blackhawks‘ search for their next head coach.

Currently led by interim bench boss Anders Sorensen, the likelihood is the Blackhawks will make another change behind the bench this summer, with David Carle of the NCAA’s Denver Pioneers believed to be the preferred candidate, reports Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli.

“The Blackhawks have had about five months to put their list together, and there’s one name at the very top that’s been circled that has separated himself from the rest of the pack. That is David Carle from Denver University,” Seravalli told Pat Boyle of Chicago Sports Network. “The Blackhawks are going to want to get after him, but they’re not going to be alone.”

As Seravalli notes, Carle’s candidacy has emerged following two national championships with the Pioneers plus back-to-back gold medals with Team USA at the two most recent World Juniors.

“[Carle] has got a fantastic job, one that he could have for life. He’s been at Denver since he was a teenager. He’s a guy that has grown up in that program, has had great tutelage. He could stay there for the next 35 years, be an incredibly well-paid college coach, and call it a career,” Seravalli added. “And that’s going to be the push and pull throughout this process.”

A 35-year-old Alaska native, Carle retired from playing due to a heart diagnosis prior to the 2008 NHL Draft and soon transitioned into coaching, initially joining the Pioneers as an assistant.

For the Blackhawks, the club closes out the 2024-25 campaign second-to-last in the NHL standings with a 25-46-11 record and 61 points, marking the fifth-straight year in which it will not participate in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Earlier this season, the Blackhawks fired third-year head coach Luke Richardson following an 8-16-2 start.