As the Washington Capitals continue their search for a new head coach, two high-profiled names have surfaced. According to Elliotte Friedman of SportsNet, Mike Babcock and Gerard Gallant have interviewed for Washington’s vacancy at head coach.
Babcock has 700 career wins as an NHL coach in stops with Anaheim, Detroit and Toronto. He guided Anaheim and Detroit to the Stanley Cup Final, winning the title in 2008 with Detroit. He also coached Team Canada to two Olympic gold medals.
Babcock has been out of the league since being fired by Toronto last November. While he has a respectable resume, there are serious concerns about some of his coaching tactics.
Gallant is a former player turned coach. He led the Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final in the franchise’s first year of existence. They ultimately lost to the Capitals.
He was surprisingly fired by Vegas in January following a four-game losing streak. However, his replacement, Peter DeBoer, has the Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final.
Gallant has a 270-216-4 record as a head coach. He also coached Columbus and Florida during his career.
Washington relieved Todd Reirden of his coaching duties after the Capitals were eliminated in the first round of the NHL playoffs back-to-back seasons. Last week, the Capitals were reportedly granted permission to talk to former Nashville Predators head coach Peter Laviolette.
General manager Brian MacLellan appears set on getting a coach with a proven resume. Whoever MacLellan settles on will be charged of pushing for another Stanley Cup run as the Capitals’ championship window appears to closing.
