NEWSLETTER
On Sunday, Blackhawks interim General Manager Kyle Davidson met with the media for the first time since being promoted after Stan Bowman was let go. Along with interim head coach Derek King, he spoke about the need for changes in the organization and what their roles will be for at least the remainder of the season. Davidson says he has been given full power to make the kinds of decisions that will impact the Blackhawks beyond the 2021-22 season, including naming a head coach.
That process will begin after the 2021-22 season.
The Blackhawks won’t start their search for a permanent coach until after the season, Davidson says.
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) November 7, 2021
Derek King is your Chicago Blackhawks head coach for the rest of the year.
There has been plenty of time to discuss, debate, and dissect who could or should be the next head coach of the Blackhawks since the days of Jeremy Colliton had felt numbered heading into this season, especially after the 1-9-2 start to the season. With his firing, Chicago needs an NHL head coach that can turn around the franchise in more ways than one. Unfortunately, Derek King, for as much as he is a likable person, is not the answer. Anything is possible, and maybe his style and message resonate with this Blackhawks team enough to lift the interim tag after the season, but I find that outcome to be unlikely.
There are several former head coaches that would love to get back into coaching, as well as several prominent assistant coaches looking for their opportunity to become a head coach.
To name a few on my shortlist:
• Claude Julien
• David Quinn
• John Tortorella
• Patrick Roy
• Bruce Boudreau
• Lane Lambert
• Kirk Muller
With the Blackhawks making it clear that the head coaching search will begin in the offseason, it allows them time to find the right replacement after swinging and missing on Colliton. Chicago looks to begin a new era after Jeremy Colliton starting tonight as King coaches his first game when the Blackhawks take on the Nashville Predators at home.
