Blackhawks hire Jeff Blashill as head coach

Published: Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 3:28 pm

Blackhawks Hope Blashill Can Revive Struggling Franchise

The Chicago Blackhawks are betting on a fresh start, hiring Jeff Blashill as their new head coach. The move signals a major shift for the Original Six franchise, tasked with turning around a team that has struggled mightily in recent years. Blashill's primary mission: to unlock the potential of a young core, spearheaded by the highly touted 2024 Calder Trophy winner, Connor Bedard, along with promising prospects like Frank Nazar III and Arytom Levshunov.

The Blackhawks' recent performance has been dismal. They've missed the playoffs for five consecutive seasons and seven of the last nine, including finishing last in their division for three straight years. This hiring is a clear attempt to change that trajectory.

Blashill brings a mixed bag of experience to Chicago. He spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning, working under Jon Cooper and helping the team reach the playoffs each year. However, the Lightning never advanced past the first round during his tenure.

Before Tampa, Blashill served as the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings for seven seasons. While he did lead the team to a playoff appearance in his first year, that was the only postseason berth during his time in Detroit. His record with the Red Wings was 204-261-72, and the team suffered a particularly rough 2019-20 season. He also has experience in the American Hockey League, leading the Grand Rapids Griffins to their first Calder Cup in 2013.

The Blackhawks are hoping Blashill can leverage his experience and knowledge to build a winning culture in Chicago. The team's future hinges on the development of its young talent, and Blashill's ability to nurture that growth will be crucial.

BNN's Perspective: This is a high-risk, high-reward hire for the Blackhawks. While Blashill has shown flashes of potential, his track record as a head coach is inconsistent. The team's success will largely depend on how quickly he can integrate the young talent and establish a winning system. It's a gamble, but one the Blackhawks needed to take to try and get back to their winning ways.

Keywords: Chicago Blackhawks, Jeff Blashill, head coach, Connor Bedard, NHL, hockey, Original Six, playoffs, Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning, Calder Trophy, Frank Nazar III, Arytom Levshunov, coaching, rebuild, Central Division, Stanley Cup, Grand Rapids Griffins, Calder Cup.

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