CHICAGO – May 23, 2025 — In a bold and defining move, the Chicago Blackhawks announced today the hiring of Jeff Blashill as the team’s new head coach. The former Detroit Red Wings bench boss will take the helm under a four-year, $20 million contract aimed at accelerating the franchise’s ongoing rebuild and restoring its standing as an NHL powerhouse.
Blashill, 51, brings a wealth of experience and a reputation for player development, having previously served as the Red Wings’ head coach from 2015 to 2022. During his tenure, he guided Detroit through a similarly challenging rebuild, earning praise for his ability to work with young talent and maintain a competitive culture amid transition. Most recently, Blashill served as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning, contributing to their deep playoff runs and helping refine one of the league’s top special teams units.
The Blackhawks, a storied franchise with three Stanley Cups in the 2010s, have struggled in recent seasons, missing the playoffs in six of the last seven years. General Manager Kyle Davidson made clear that the franchise needed an experienced voice to guide the next generation of Blackhawks stars—one who understands both the patience and precision required during a rebuild.
“Jeff Blashill is the right person at the right time for this team,” Davidson said at the press conference announcing the hire. “His track record developing young talent and creating a competitive culture will be critical as we continue building toward sustained success. He understands the pressures of coaching in a hockey-centric market and has demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and vision—all things we value as a franchise.”
Blashill expressed excitement and gratitude during his introduction, highlighting the team’s young core and long-term potential. “It’s an incredible honor to join a franchise with the history and passion of the Chicago Blackhawks,” Blashill said. “This organization has done the hard work of laying a strong foundation, and I look forward to helping develop that talent, push our group to new heights, and deliver results that our fans can be proud of.”
Blashill inherits a roster centered around promising young stars, including 2023 first overall pick Connor Bedard, who had a standout rookie campaign and is widely seen as the cornerstone of the team’s rebuild. Other young players, such as Lukas Reichel, Kevin Korchinski, and Frank Nazar, have also shown flashes of elite potential. The organization is rich with draft capital and prospects, giving Blashill the tools to mold a competitive unit in the coming years.
Though his time in Detroit did not include postseason success—Blashill’s teams missed the playoffs in six of his seven full seasons—he was consistently praised for maintaining a structured, development-first system while managing rosters that were often in flux. He also played a pivotal role in the emergence of several key Red Wings players, including Dylan Larkin, Moritz Seider, and Lucas Raymond.
The decision to hire Blashill over several high-profile candidates signals the Blackhawks’ commitment to a developmental approach, rather than chasing short-term results. Davidson acknowledged that while the franchise remains focused on long-term success, the front office believes the right leadership can accelerate the rebuild without compromising core values.
“Rebuilding doesn’t have to mean waiting forever,” Davidson added. “We believe in our players and our vision, and we think Jeff is the right leader to push this team forward.”
The hiring also marks a significant financial investment from ownership, with Blashill’s $20 million deal placing him among the top-paid coaches in the NHL. It reflects both the franchise’s belief in his abilities and the urgency to return the Blackhawks to prominence in a highly competitive Central Division.
Fans and analysts have met the move with a mix of intrigue and optimism. Some have noted the irony of hiring a former Red Wings coach to lead the Blackhawks, given the intense rivalry between the two historic franchises. However, many also see it as a forward-looking decision that transcends past rivalries in favor of focused team-building.
With training camp just a few months away, Blashill will begin assembling his coaching staff and working closely with the front office on offseason planning. Draft strategy, free agency, and player development camps will all fall under his purview as he prepares to usher in a new era of Blackhawks hockey.
As the organization looks ahead to the 2025–26 NHL season, one thing is clear: the Blackhawks are betting big on Jeff Blashill to be the architect of their resurgence.
