The Washington Capitals have found their new head coach and it is a former Toronto Maple Leafs.
On Tuesday, the club announced that they have signed Spencer Carbery. He has supported head coach Sheldon Keefe in the Queen City for the past two campaigns. Previously, he was at the helm of the Hershey Bears, the school club of the “Caps” for three years. Although he couldn’t lead them to the Calder Cup, he had quite a bit of regular season success in the American League, totaling 104 wins in 171 games.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be appointed as the head coach of the Washington Capitals,” Carbery said in a statement released by his new roster. I look forward to working with a talented group of players and building a winning culture.”
“Spencer is one of the best young coaches in our sport and has had success wherever he has coached. We believe his leadership, communication skills, ability to develop players and knowledge of our organization will be tremendous assets as he takes the next step in his coaching career.” General Brian MacLellan.
After missing the playoffs this year, a first since 2013-2014, the “Caps” showed the way out to head coach Peter Laviolette. He had been at the helm of the club since the 2020-2021 campaign.
Rangers have a specific head coach in mind
Speaking of Laviolette, it looks like he’s the New York Rangers’ pick to fill in the departure of head coach Gerard Gallant.
In his most recent “32 Thoughts” podcast that aired Monday, Sportsnet network reporter Elliotte Friedman claimed the Blueshirts are “starting to lean” towards the Laviolette option. The same source specified that an announcement will be made these days if the New York organization really takes this direction.
The name of the 58-year-old man was also mentioned by the daily “USA Today” a few days earlier. The one who led five teams in the National Hockey League (NHL) and won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2005-2006 was also entitled to an interview with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are looking for the successor to Brad Larsen behind the bench.
In New York, other candidates have been mooted by the media, including former NHL pilot Mike Babcock, as well as Seattle Kraken assistant coach Jay Leach.
The Rangers disappointed in the playoffs, losing in seven games in the first round to the New Jersey Devils. Gallant left after leading his troop to the Eastern Conference Finals in the spring of 2022.