It’s a fast change, nevertheless it was additionally most likely one which was obligatory for the Blackhawks given the best way this season — and the rebuild — has been going.
Not solely is Chicago once more one of many worst groups within the NHL, however it isn’t seeing a lot, if any, progress from its younger gamers, whereas the veteran gamers on the roster haven’t produced. It has become a really grim scenario the place dropping is beginning to not solely turn out to be a behavior, but in addition an expectation.
That’s not what any group needs to see occur.
Between 2008 and 2017 the Blackhawks had been one of many high organizations in hockey, profitable Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015, whereas making the playoffs 9 years in a row. The staff was constructed on a core of gamers like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Patrick Sharp and Corey Crawford and was a continuing contender. Finally, although, these gamers began to become older, they usually ultimately retired or had been traded away as a part of the staff’s present rebuild.
They haven’t been in a position to efficiently full that rebuild.
Their solely playoff look over the previous eight seasons got here through the 2019-20 season, when the NHL expanded the playoffs to 24 groups in a COVID-shortened season. The Blackhawks had been the twenty fourth staff in that subject, and in a traditional season, they’d have missed the postseason by a big margin.
They haven’t come shut in any season since then.
There’s some long-term hope due to the collection of Connor Bedard with the No. 1 general decide in 2023, however even he has not fairly taken a big step ahead this season.
The pinnacle coach is just not more likely to repair the entire issues right here, and there is likely to be deeper issues within the group than simply that. However this was most likely a obligatory transfer within the quick time period to attempt to salvage one thing out of this season.
