Jeff Blashill introduces new strategy that could bring the Chicago Blackhawks back into the playoffs
Photo credit: NHL.com
New Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill, who replaced the interim Anders Sorensen, is introducing a new strategy that could help Chicago return to the playoffs.
The Chicago Blackhawks hired former Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill to be their new full-time head coach , replacing Anders Sorensen, who had taken over from the terminated Luke Richardson on an interim basis last season.
Sorenson will remain on Blashill's staff as an assistant coach, continuing his time with the franchise.
Blashill, who had spent the last 3 years as an assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning, is introducing a new backchecking strategy for the Blackhawks that could potentially bring them closer to a playoff spot.
Blashill said he's going to have his team focus more on their back checking, which will make them more defensively responsible.
"The reason for that is, one, it's a work-ethic indicator, it's one of the best ways to create transition offensive opportunities - by being smothering in your effort to come back as forwards. That allows your [defensemen] to gap up, create turnovers and go the other way."
- Jeff Blashill
- Jeff Blashill
Blashill has been known throughout his coaching career for helping to develop young players, something Chicago is counting on him to do.
Former Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev recently ripped Blashill
Not everyone looks back fondly upon Blashill's time with the Lightning, and former Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev is one of them.
Now with the Utah Mammoth, Sergachev recently said he and his teammates couldn't believe why Blashill had them change their defensive system, which had helped yield 2 Stanley Cups in a row.
"I mean, we had gone to three finals, and this guy comes in and says: 'We're not playing like that anymore. Now we're playing like ****** Vegas.' And we're all like, 'Why?' He goes, 'They have a better system. It'll work for us.' Well, it didn't work for me. Didn't work for anyone.
Blashill has a career coaching record of 204-261-72.
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