NEWSLETTER
On Friday morning, Scott Powers at The Athletic reported the Blackhawks are expected to make their head coaching hire within the next week (emphasis mine):
All has been pretty quiet for the Blackhawks for some time.
That will soon change.
The Blackhawks are expected to hire their new NHL head coach in the next week. That will lead into the draft, where the Blackhawks could actively move roster players and acquire more draft picks and prospects. Free agency comes after that.
According to Powers’ report, the three finalists are expected to be Derek King, Luke Richardson and Brad Shaw.
We discussed the resumes of Richardson and Shaw earlier this month when Frank Seravelli reported the Blackhawks had requested interviews with them. King was the interim head coach of the Blackhawks to finish the 2021-22 season, replacing Jeremy Colliton.
Powers notes that being likable is an important factor for the Blackhawks, who don’t plan on winning much next year.
“One common attribute among the Blackhawks’ coaching candidates is they’re all very well-liked around the league. In talking to numerous people who know Richardson and Brad Shaw, who was also considered for the position, everyone just raved about them as people.”
The Blackhawks were never in the mix for any of the big name coaches who became available this offseason because of their plan to (don’t say tank… don’t say tank…) minimize their opportunity next season. Powers also reports that the Hawks are expected to hire someone on the lower end of the head coaching pay scale in the league.
More from Powers:
