Could the Avalanche Really Make This Coaching Call?

If Colorado comes up short again — especially in a rough series like a sweep or an ugly exit to Vegas — you can already hear how this goes. The noise picks up, the questions start, and inevitably, David Carle’s name gets thrown into the mix. And unlike a lot of coaching rumours, this one doesn’t feel completely out of left field.

Carle just fits the geography and the hockey story. He’s already at the University of Denver. His success is well-known, and he has deep roots in Colorado hockey circles. He’s the kind of name that immediately makes sense to fans because it feels local, familiar, and fresh at the same time. In a moment where people are looking for a “spark,” that combination tends to travel fast.

There’s also a logical thread to it. Jared Bednar has done an excellent job in Colorado. There’s no serious argument there. But the NHL doesn’t really care about past success when the playoffs go sideways. A couple of disappointing exits, and suddenly even strong coaching resumes start to feel more fragile than they should.

Carle Is a Solid Young Coach Who’s Well Known in Denver

Carle gives you a fresh option. He’s youthful, big on player development, and a system coach who’s had success at Denver. It’s an easy sell: hire someone who knows the market, fits the culture, and can develop the next wave instead of merely tweaking what’s already there. But this isn’t a simple swap, either.

Bednar has earned real trust in that room. Cup run, deep playoff pushes, and consistent regular-season success. That buys you a long leash in most organizations. Moving on from him would be a big organizational decision, not just a reaction to one bad series. And replacing him with someone who has never coached in the NHL is a massive leap, no matter how promising the résumé looks.

That’s the other side of the coin with Carle. He’s highly regarded, but he’s still untested at the NHL level. College hockey and the NHL have different schedules, pressures, and expectations. It’s one thing to develop players at Denver; it’s another thing entirely to manage a Stanley Cup contender in July and April at the same time.