New Jersey Devils: Who Will Be Head Coach Next Season?

The Powerplay-Focused Option: Spencer Carbery

If the Devils want to revamp their power play, why not bring in the man in charge of one of the best powerplays in the league? Spencer Carbery has been an assistant with the Toronto Maple Leafs for two years. While Toronto has better personnel, the chances they create using motion and ever-changing passing angles to get their superstars, Auston Mattews and Mitch Marner, into positions to put the puck into the net. Carbery could bring much of that to New Jersey.

He has an extensive coaching career prior to his time in Toronto. From coaching stops in Saginaw in the OHL, Carbery has been a Head Coach in the ECHL and AHL, winning coach of the year in both leagues, and also won the AHL President’s Trophy with the Hershey Bears. Interestingly, Carbery was an assistant on Jay Leach’s staff in Providence during the 2017-18 season.

There is also something with Carbery that shouldn’t go unnoticed. Being the coach of the year in the AHL is usually a good sign of becoming a competent NHL coach. Past names include Jon Cooper, Bruce Cassidy, Don Granto, and John Hynes (ha). Being a winner and recognized as such seems to translate well into the NHL.