NEWSLETTER
It appears that the Chicago Blackhawks search for a permanent General Manager is getting some outside help. On today’s Daily Faceoff show, Frank Seravalli reported that the Blackhawks were going “outside of the box” when it comes to their search for their replacement for Stan Bowman. Rather than hiring a “hockey guy” retread, the Blackhawks have instead hired Mike Forde of Sportsology, a consulting firm that has helped numerous sports teams around the world find candidates for front office positions.
Forde, a former executive with Chelsea in the English Premier League, is one of the go-to advisors in the sports world when it comes to finding the right people to lead organizations.
Additionally, Seravalli reports the #Blackhawks have hired Mike Forde of Sportsology to advise in their GM search and that Chicago's front office has reached out to #Cubs GM Jed Hoyer also in a consultation role
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) December 15, 2021
Along with the hiring of Forde, Seravalli reports that the Blackhawks have also reached out to Chicago Cubs President Jed Hoyer for help in their process to find a new, permanent General Manager. Hoyer has been the GM of the Cubs organization since October of 2011 and took up the mantle of President of Baseball Operations ahead of the 2021 season (replacing Theo Epstein). As Seravalli said in today’s show, the Blackhawks are hoping to “look under the hood” of other organizations and their process in hiring front office personnel.
While the team continues to look for a replacement to Bowman, Seravalli reports that current interim General Manager Kyle Davidson is already the “front-runner” to hold the position long-term. Davidson, who has been with the Blackhawks front office in various roles since 2010, was given full control of the team when he took over for Bowman earlier this season and has already made significant moves while at the helm, most notably the firing of head coach Jeremy Colliton.
Blackhawks Interim GM Kyle Davidson Trying To Make It Stick: “I’m Going To Do The Job As If It Is Mine” https://t.co/c8mto8Lx5U
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) November 17, 2021
Davidson is operating as if the job is his. While other teams in the NHL have fired General Managers and hired new ones within a few days or sometimes within a few hours, the Blackhawks are playing the long game. Maybe it will end up working out for them that Davidson proves he is the right person for the job. The hope is that the team doesn’t sit too long on the decision, and potentially miss the right hire before it’s too late.
