Major Development: Reports indicate that Colorado Avalanche divisional rival have found their new bench boss
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According to sources, Jeff Blashill has been named the new 42nd head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, marking his second tenure as an NHL bench boss.
The 51-year-old has spent the last three seasons serving as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lighting under head coach Jon Cooper.
Colorado Avalanche divisional rivals have found themselves a new head coach.
Blashill's most recent head coaching role was with the Detroit Red Wings, where he led the team from 2025 to 2022 after succeeding Mike Babcock. The Red Wings reached the playoffs in his first season at the helm, but the team soon entered a lengthy rebuild that has yet to yield another postseason appearance since.
Blashill also served as head coach of the Red Wings' AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, from 2012 to 2015. During his tenure, he led the team to a Calder Cup championship in 2013 andn played a key role in developing prospects who would go on to make the jump to the NHL level.
Chicago began its coaching search after parting ways with Luke Richardson in December. Anders Sorensen took over on an interim basis for the rest of the regular season, but the Blackhawks failed to reach the playoffs, finishing second-to-last in the Western Conference with a brutal 25-46-11 record.
The Blackhawks have made just one playoff appearance in the last eight seasons and haven't qualified since 2020. Over the past three years, they've consistently struggled, finishing either second or third worst in the NHL each season.
Hopefully, Blashill and company can help turn things around in Chicago!
| POLL | ||
MAI 22 | 18 ANSWERS Major Development: Reports indicate that Colorado Avalanche divisional rival have found their new bench boss Do you think Jeff Blashill can turn things around in Chicago as their new head coach? | ||
| yes | 8 | 44.4 % |
| no | 10 | 55.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
