As the search for the next head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks continues, one name keeps surfacing with increasing frequency: Jeff Blashill. While the initial reaction from many fans — myself included — was lukewarm, a closer look at Blashill’s coaching resume suggests he might be a more compelling candidate than first thought.
At 51 years old, Blashill is currently serving as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he works under the highly respected Jon Cooper. In Tampa, Blashill has taken charge of the defense and penalty kill — two critical areas for any team hoping to build a solid foundation. His close relationship with Cooper and experience within a championship-caliber organization speak volumes about his credibility and coaching acumen.
Blashill’s path to the NHL has been marked by steady, consistent growth and success. His coaching career began in the collegiate ranks with stints at Ferris State and Miami-Ohio, followed by a successful jump to the USHL where he won a league title in his first year with the Indiana Ice. His success didn’t stop there. At Western Michigan, he quickly turned heads and was soon recruited to join the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings as an assistant coach.
But it was with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins that Blashill truly made his mark. In his first season, he led the team to a Calder Cup championship. The following year, he was named AHL Coach of the Year. These achievements positioned him as one of the most promising up-and-coming coaches in hockey.
Blashill took over as the Detroit Red Wings’ head coach in 2015, leading the team during a challenging transitional period as they moved away from the tail end of their long playoff streak. Though his time in Detroit was marked by roster turnover and a rebuilding phase, Blashill was praised for his ability to develop young talent — something that should pique the Blackhawks’ interest given the current state of their roster.
The Blackhawks are firmly in a rebuilding phase themselves, with a young core led by Connor Bedard. They don’t necessarily need a flashy name; they need a coach who can foster development, instill discipline, and create a winning culture from the ground up. In that light, Blashill’s track record becomes more appealing. He’s been in the trenches of development leagues, has NHL experience, and knows how to work with young players.
While Blashill may not have been the most exciting name on the coaching market, he may very well be the right one. His ability to grow with a team, develop prospects, and maintain a calm, steady presence behind the bench could be exactly what Chicago needs as it rebuilds its identity.
So if and when Jeff Blashill is announced as the next head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, it might be time to get comfortable with the idea — and maybe even optimistic
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