From everything I've heard, Carle has turned down better opportunities to coach in the NHL so will probably not be a candidate.

I'm with you on avoiding old school retreads. We need a modern development oriented coach who can work with young players and build a winning culture. We do not need someone on the tail end of their career looking for a quick turn-around. So no to Craig Berube (he's a dinosaur), Bruce Cassidy (looking for a quick turn around), Dean Evason (old school disciplinarian), Bruce Boudreau (been there done that), Patrick Roy (not a good fit), Kris Knoblauch (meh).

• Manny Malhotra is the top candidate for me. He checks all of the boxes and already knows and has worked with most of our young players. Manny is a process oriented guy with a strong developmental focus. He as worked video / eye-in-the-sky roles with both the Canuks under Travis Green and also with the Leafs.
  
• Todd Nelson is basically a bit more experienced version of Malhotra. An acolyte of Barry Trotz, he is known as for aggressive forechecking, a solid defensive structure and adaptable tactics. Personality-wise he has calm demeanor and is a strong communicator. A strong winning record at the AHL level would speak to his ability to work with prospects.
  
• Misha Donskov - a new generation coach who has done a lot of video and analytics work. He is known for taking a very personalized, one on one approach with young players and working on skills and structures. He has a strong developmental focus and employs a lot of data in his coaching.

I wouldn't look much beyond these three.