The past season is behind the Blackhawks and that’s where everybody in Chicago wants it to stay. A distant memory, one which is now starting to get lost in the rearview mirror. Thankfully, the 2025-26 NHL season is slowly approaching. Still, fans in the Windy City have learned to be careful what they wish for.

Now, a new day is starting to rise on the horizon. Blashill is the new head coach for Bedard and the rest of the team, who have grown used to seeing different managers come and go. Fortunately, they will see a familiar face in Sorensen, who, relieved of his interim head coach duties, is now an assistant.

On that note, Blashill and the Blackhawks announced which department each assistant coach will focus on. Sorensen, as it turns out, won’t be in charge of Bedard and the forwards—quite the opposite.

“New assistants Michael Peca and Mike Vellucci will oversee the forwards, with Peca also coaching the penalty kill and Vellucci the power play. Anders Sorensen will oversee the defensemen — a role he previously held in Rockford,” as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times. “Long-tenured goalie coach Jimmy Waite retained his position.“

Crucial role

Sorensen has been at the helm of the defensemen group before, but this time the stakes are higher. The former interim coach did occupy a similar role back during his time with the AHL’s affiliate, the Rockford Ice-Hogs. However, the Blackhawks’ D-corps is a different beast.

As it stands, out of Chicago’s six active blueliners, five are less than 25 years old. Connor Murphy is the lone veteran with 32 years of age. Blashill knows the team’s youth is a double-edged sword, but he plans to face only the sharp end of one side.

Winning habits

“The reality is our growth will be based on how quickly our young guys mature,” Blashill told the Chicago Sun-Times. “[Not only] how they mature physically, but more importantly, how their games mature. Go from a young, talented group to a group that plays winning hockey. The most exciting opportunity we have as a coaching staff is to mold our players into winning players as quickly as possible.”

Of course, it takes time to build a winning culture, and the team must walk a road full of bumps and bruises. However, the Hawks have already experienced enough of hockey’s painful side.

If Bedard and company could, they’d waste no time fast-forwarding to when they’re a competitive group in the NHL. But as things stand, such technology hasn’t been invented, and the only choice left is sink or swim for the organization in Chi-Town.

The Blackhawks are far from being considered a serious threat in the NHL, but they’ve shown some beacons of hope during the past campaign—especially near the end of it, and under Sorensen. The franchise seems to have found part of its youth core, but is still missing important presences in the lineup and in the bench.

The latter might be awfully close to becoming a closed chapter, as the announcement of the 38th head coach in Blackhawks history is reportedly in the works and nearly ready to be unveiled.

However, the news of a brand-new head coach’s appointment might not imply Sorensen is living his final hours at the helm of Bedard’s Chicago. In that regard, reports indicate the Blackhawks’ front office—led by general manager Kyle Davidson—has made a pivotal decision on Sorensen’s stay in the Windy City.

Here to stay

“Word out of Chicago is the Blackhawks have found their new Head Coach (all signs point to Jeff Blashill, we shall see). An announcement is expected later today or Thursday, and will include additional coaching staff changes. Sounds like Sorensen will stay with the club in some capacity,” NHL Network insider David Pagnotta reported on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

“I’m hearing Anders Sorensen will remain on the NHL coaching staff as an assistant; Blashill will also bring in two other new assistants to join a new staff in Chicago,” Tab Bamford from Bleacher Nation stated.

Things are getting interesting

The reported hiring of Jeff Blashill is making waves within the organization and putting pressure on Kyle Davidson, who appears to be going to bat for the former Detroit Red Wings head coach and current Tampa Bay Lightning assistant.

Hitting the nail on the head is paramount for Davidson and the Blackhawks, as fans grow increasingly anxious with each losing season—and with every moment where Connor Bedard’s potential goes to waste.

Donato trending to hit free agency

Following a breakout season alongside Bedard in a contract year, Ryan Donato is reportedly trending toward hitting the open market—Chicago has yet to reach an agreement with the center, and he may consider testing free agency in search of either greater job security or a bigger paycheck.

Several franchises are already peeking through the door, hoping to get ahold of the 29-year-old, who registered 62 points (31 G and 31 A) last season in his ninth NHL campaign. Having already played for five teams, Donato could be heading to his sixth, cementing his status as a true journeyman.

“There’s still time for a deal with the Blackhawks to get done, but it feels 99.9% likely that Ryan Donato is hitting free agency,” CHGO Blackhawks reported on X, formerly Twitter.

Watching Donato leave as a free agent would be a tough blow for the Hawks, who could have traded him during the season to a buyer at the deadline—and will now be left empty-handed instead. However, it might be the financial sacrifice they’re willing to make in hopes of making a splashy move for Mitch Marner in free agency.

Coaching Bedard and the rest of the young, promising core in Chicago is an offer few candidates on the coaching market would turn down — and it’s the biggest bargaining chip Kyle Davidson holds in negotiations, as well.

Bedard declined an invitation to join Hockey Canada for the 2025 IIHF World Championship, instead hoping to focus on sharpening his individual skills ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season. Many believed his decision might also be tied to the Blackhawks’ ongoing coaching search, suggesting he wanted to remain close in case the organization sought his input.

Whether that played a part in Bedard’s decision or not, the 19-year-old stayed in the continent and might now be close to learning who will be his new head coach during the 2025-26 campaign, as Sorensen isn’t expected to be confirmed in his interim role.

Based on reports from Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson interviewed former Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill for the head coaching opening in Windy City. According to Seravalli, the Seattle Kraken are also interested in Blashill, potentially setting up a two-horse sweepstakes for the 51-year-old coach.

Background

Blashill has had only one coaching experience in the NHL, being at the helm of the Red Wings during 7 years from 2015 until 2022. During his tenure in Motor City, Blashill and the Red Wings made the Stanley Cup Playoffs during his first season, yet they were knocked out in the first round.

Blashill and Detroit would go on to miss the postseason in each of the next six seasons—a drought that continued well beyond his firing, as Detroit now endures a nine-year playoff absence.

Blashill made a stronger name for himself during his stints with USA Hockey, guiding the team to a gold medal at the 2009 World Junior A Challenge and a runner-up finish at the 2006 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. He also served as head coach for Team USA at the 2009 World Juniors (U20) and the 2017 IIHF World Championship, though both tournaments ended without a podium finish.

Decisions, decisions

There’s no bona fide candidate who can singlehandedly put the Blackhawks back on their feet upon arrival, which is why Davidson’s decision—regardless of the route he chooses—will be a bold one.

Bedard and company can afford a misstep at head coach, as Chicago is still far from contending. But for Davidson, nailing this hire is crucial if he wants to buy himself more time. If not, questions will start swirling around the third-year GM (or fourth, if you count his interim stint).

Blashill’s recent history with the Red Wings might not be the most exciting of tales for fans in Chicago to buy into, but perhaps he’s grown from that experience and can help guide the franchise to the next stage of its rebuild in his second go-around in the NHL.

Although last season was tough for Blackhawks fans in Chi-town, the silver lining is that it’s hard to imagine things getting worse—setting the stage for a slow but steady climb back up the NHL ranks.

Having Connor Bedard on the roster makes the head coaching job in the Windy City all the more appealing, but the 19-year-old isn’t the only bright spot—several rising talents contribute to a promising situation for any incoming coach. In the short term, it’s a low-risk, high-reward opportunity for whoever takes the reins behind the bench.

Though the organization has yet to announce a new head coach, and a strong frontrunner is yet to be revealed in the race, GM Davidson dropped a powerful statement about the vacancy to coach Bedard and the young Blackhawks, as Sorensen is not expected to stay on his interim role.

“Based on the reaction in my phone every day, it’s an appealing job,” Davidson said during his end-of-season press conference. “We feel that and we know that, but we’ve got to find the right person that fits what we’re doing and that’s kind of the course we’re running right now.”

Not rushing into decisions

While fans and players may feel anxious with no head coach named yet for the upcoming NHL season, Davidson and the front office know it’s better to measure twice and cut once.

“No real timeline. We’re going through the process right now,” Davidson added. “We’re really excited about the people we’ve gotten to talk to, and will get to talk to. It’s not necessarily about timeline, we just want to get this right, and we want to make sure we have all the information to get it right, and that’s what we’re going through right now.“

Lottery Draft results

Despite having the second-best odds to claim the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL entry Draft, the Blackhawks winded up with the third overall selection in the upcoming draft, which isn’t bad by any means, as the upcoming draft class doens’t feature a clear-cut No. 1 prospect.

“Everyone has different opinions, different thoughts on what makes players successful. And so, ours versus against any other team’s is going to be different and is going to be different from public,” Davidson said. “It’s exciting to get behind the curtain and really hammer away at what those tiers are, or [what] the rankings are for the Blackhawks and what our staff believes and how we see things lining up. Excited to do that, but we’re not quite at that point yet.”

The mantra for the NHL offseason in Chicago is crystal clear: the Blackhawks are taking things one step at a time, carefully measuring every move. First, a head coach must be named—only then can the organization shift its focus to surrounding Bedard and company with the best talent in the draft class.

The Blackhawks are coming off a disastrous NHL season, finishing in second-to-last place in the league, only standing above the San Jose Sharks. However, all hope is not lost yet in The Windy City.

The team’s young core is showing signs of blossoming, lighting the way toward a much brighter future in Chi-town. Bedard remains the number one star, but he no longer looks like the only point of hope in Chicago. A team is forming around the 2023 first-overall selection—but one key piece is still missing: a leader behind the bench.

To aid that pain point, the Blackhawks are embarking in a coaching search during the offseason, in hopes of finding the right name for the job. However, the sailing hasn’t gotten off to a smooth start, as David Carle, the favorite to succeed Anders Sorensen, has already shut the door on Chicago’s opening.

“Hearing that David Carle has withdrawn from consideration for the Chicago Blackhawks coaching job,” insider Elliotte Friedman stated about the Blackhawks’ coaching hunt in the NHL.

Carle’s résumé

David Carle has built one of the best portfolios out of every coaching candidate in the NHL. Although Carle has no experience in the NHL, he’s led the Denver Piooners in the NCAA to two National Championships, solidifying the program’s reputation as one of the biggest powerhouses at the collegiate level.

Moreover, Carle led Team USA U-20 to consecutive gold medals at the IIHF World Junior Championships in 2024 and 2025. While it’s unclear whether he is seriously interested in making the jump to the NHL, it’s evident that every franchise with a head coaching vacancy has considered him.

While coaching Bedard and the Blackhawks’ young stars could be exciting enough to outweigh the organization’s other issues, Carle has opted to stay in Denver for now. However, he might reconsider if another franchise comes knocking at his door.

After stepping in after Luke Richardson’s firing in Chicago, Sorensen helped the Blackhawks embrace an offensive playstyle, which became a double-edged sword for Bedard and the rest of the team.

Knowing they had little to lose, Sorensen encouraged a fearless mindset in Chicago—one that produced its fair share of catastrophic outings, along with the occasional reckless, yet statement-making win. Still, to be fair, those highlights were few and far between.

The team never truly managed to embrace this new mentality, with their performances marked more by fits and starts than by any sustained, suffocating pressure on opponents. Still, a few steps were taken in the right direction—even if the on-ice product remains far from anything resembling polished at the United Center.

As Bedard and the Blackhawks await notice on their new head coach for the 2025-26 NHL season, reports indicate there is one candidate in pole position.

According to insider Frank Seravalli, David Carle is the frontrunner for the Blackhawks’ head coaching job ahead of next season.

Drawing interest

David Carle, the brother of 2006 Hobey Baker Award winner, Matt Carle, is one of the most coveted coaches available on the market. The 35-year-old coach would bring a modern, fast-paced style of hockey to Chicago. His credentials are validated with the success he has found at both the University of Denver and Team USA’s Under-20 team.

Carle was forced to hang the skates after being diagnosed with Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) when declaring for the 2008 NHL entry Draft. Since, he joined the Denver Pioneers coaching staff, first as a graduate assistant coach. He left the school in 2012 to become assistant coach in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers, but returned after one season and a half to take on the same role back in The Mile High City.

Born winner

Ahead of the 2018-19 NCAA season, Carle was named head coach of the Pioneers, and since then, he solidified the decorated program back into a powerhouse in college ice hockey. With back-to-back World Juniors gold medals coaching Team USA, two NCAA National Championships, and three NCHC titles under his belt, Carle has now become a top candidate for nearly every NHL coaching vacancy.

As he carefully eyes his first NHL opportunity, Carle won’t be rushing into any hasty decisions. Still, Bedard and the Blackhawks are closing in—eager, having longed for the arrival of the head coach who can finally return the Windy City franchise to where it belongs.

The Blackhawks are languishing at the bottom of the NHL standings, stuck in a seven-game losing skid marked by deflating losses. There seems to be no escape from this nerve-racking maze—except for the season’s inevitable end.

However, fans and the organization still expect strong efforts—not the lackluster, soulless performances they’ve seen in recent outings. Bedard, the franchise’s supposed savior, has been dragged down by his surroundings, left helpless as his production spirals into near inexistence.

While the sophomore’s numbers have plummeted—raising concerns around the league about the setbacks he’s faced—he still leads the roster in points, highlighting the overall struggles in The Windy City. Regardless, the 2024-25 campaign has been far from what Bedard envisioned, and Sorensen acknowledges it has been weighing on him lately.

“He’s frustrated a little bit, pressing. Especially with a player of his caliber, he expects to score and is on the spotlight constantly,” Sorensen stated about Bedard, via Chicago Tribune’s Phillip Thompson. “But just trying to get him to trust his instincts and make the plays he sees but don’t force things at the same time.”

Winds of change?

Bedard has been enduring a challenging season with the Blackhawks, and March has been no exception for the second-year star. However, the latest 7-4 win over the Philadelphia Flyers could be the turning point for the Blackhawks.

Bedard found the back of the net once, scoring unassisted to level the game at 3-3 before Chicago took a commanding lead that would prove decisive. Bedard hasn’t had many things go his way this season, with close plays typically bouncing in the opponents’ favor, instead of in his and the Blackhawks’ direction. Therefore, this last game was a positive sign for the 19-year-old and the Hawks.

However, confidence in Bedard hasn’t wavered. The real question is whether Chicago can build a contending team around their superstar and stop squandering both Bedard’s talent and everyone’s time with disappointing seasons.

It wasn’t the first time the Blackhawks were blown out at the United Center by a visiting team in the NHL. Fans have grown accustomed to such performances in recent years, but it certainly didn’t feel like it would be the last time—though everyone would love to believe that.

Chicago jumped on to an early 2-0 lead, but stepped off the gas and allowed Seattle to gain momentum, eventually leading to a lopsided whooping in front of their home fans. It was utterly embarrassing for everybody inside the locker room, especially for veteran Dickinson, who voiced a clear reminder postgame.

Dickinson has been in Chicago since the 2022-23 campaign, so this wasn’t his first rodeo with the Blackhawks. However, he couldn’t bite his tongue when addressing the team’s performance postgame, delivering a harsh wake-up call for Sorensen, Bedard, and the rest of the team.

“[This team is] a gritty one. We’re not a high-skilled team, we’re not a team that can play with a shootout mentality,” Dickinson firmly stated hinting at Sorensen’s offensive-minded playstyle, via CHGO Blackhawks. “We are not going to take it to 8-6, 8-7, those are not games that we want to play.

“We’ve got to get into a gritty match that we’re blocking every shot, we’re getting into bodies, forechecking, and turning pucks over: making it miserable. It’s not gonna be fun to win hockey games that way, but winning hockey games is a whole lot more fun than this, so I don’t care how we do it. I just wanna win.”

Stats don’t matter

Although Bedard snapped his three-game point drought during the game, it was far from a strong outing for the 19-year-old. Even his goal was the result of a fortunate bounce off a skate and into the back of the net.

His lowlight of the night came in the second period when he attempted to sneak a pass over a defender, but turned the puck over. It lead to a breakaway chance for the Kraken’s Jared McCann, who scored and gave his team a 3-2 lead. After the game, Dickinson made something clear to Chicago’s goalscorers, Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi.

“It doesn’t matter, it’s great for them that they got a goal, but we lose the game 6-2,” Dickinson admitted. “What does it matter if we score on the power play or short handed? It doesn’t matter to me. I don’t care… let’s go win a freaking game.”

Earning the right to play fancy

Plays like Bedard’s turnover in the second period are exactly what were maddening during the game, and throughout the campaign, for Dickinson and other long-time veterans. Chicago often shoots itself on the foot, and Sorensen’s playstyle has much to do with it.

Sorensen isn’t fully responsible for the team’s direction, as he was handed a tall order when appointed as interim head coach. However, his offensive style of hockey may not be the wisest approach for a team struggling as much as Chicago.

Ongoing dilemma

Sorensen has repeatedly stated his desire to help develop the younger talents, but that leaves the Blackhawks’ locker room mired in a two-front dilemma. It seems the veterans, who aspire to compete, and their wants and needs are often overshadowed by the youngsters. The latter still have their whole careers ahead of them and have no fear of losing every night, seeing it all as part of the bigger lesson.

The cracks in the locker room are starting to show as the season reaches its finale, and the Blackhawks say goodbye to yet another abysmal season.

Nazar, though appearing in his second NHL season, is still a considered a rookie as he played less than 25 games during his first year with the Blackhawks. However, the 21-year-old continues to develop his game night in and night out, becoming a considerable weapon in Chicago.

Despite being older than Bedard, Nazar’s NHL career is younger than the 2023 first overall selection. The two young talents are playing together on the Blackhawks’ first line as of late, and despite the overall struggles, Sorensen remains confident on the young, dynamic-duo.

Sorensen‘s trust in Nazar and Bedard runs deep, as the head coach shuffled the young stars on the ice, shifting Bedard to the wing and placing Nazar at center. It may not have shown on the scoreboard, but the coach’s confidence remains steadfast.

“Lots of good moments. I think last game Nazar had a handful of really good, controlled entries where he created shots for his teammates and a couple there for Bedard,” Sorensen said about the young stars, via CHGO Blackhawks on X. “They’ve been playing off each other really well.

“The way we play, Bedard’s used to playing down low, as well, so whoever arrives there first plays down low or whoever takes the faceoff. But they’ve been feeding off each other real well.”

Sorensen speaks on Bedard’s game misconducts

The 2023-24 Calder Trophy winner has recently grabbed headlines around the league, but for the wrong reasons. Bedard was assessed consecutive game misconducts in Chicago’s latest games, letting his emotions get the best of him. Though costly for the Blackhawks, Sorensen appreciated Bedard’s competitive fire.

“Last game, it was a scrum — I’m kinda [like], ‘Good for him. He stuck his nose in there and stayed in there.’ We discount that one,” Sorensen admitted. “The one in San Jose, it’s frustration [in the] heat of the moment as a young player. There’s frustration sometimes [with] how they handle it. But he’s aware and he’s getting better at it.”

Turn the page

Hoping to stop the bleeding, the Blackhawks will host the Seattle Kraken on March 18, with Bedard and Nazar leading the first line alongside breakout forward Ryan Donato. Bedard will vie to snap his three-game point drought amid a rough March, where he has managed just three points—one goal and two assists.

Frustration has been mounting both in the locker room and on the ice as the Hawks struggle through a tough NHL season, one in which little has gone their way.

Bedard‘s sophomore campaign has fallen short of expectations, too. Though he leads the team in points, it hasn’t been smooth sailing lately. The reigning Calder Trophy winner has registered just three points in March so far, and it’s clearly weighing on his mindset heading into each game. Still, it’s a valuable lesson. Things won’t always go perfectly for the young star, and facing adversity this early in his career could shape him into an even greater talent.

It’s a work in progress for Bedard. Recently, he blew a fuse, earning game misconducts in consecutive games—both calls being controversial. Opponents have clearly gotten under his skin, distracting him from his game, and that’s something neither he nor Sorensen‘s Blackhawks can afford right now.

However, interim head coach Sorensen is confident that this could be a sign of Bedard’s competitiveness. He expressed this belief with a firm statement, drawing a parallel to Sidney Crosby’s early years in the league.

Signs of greatness?

“Overall, I think he’s very mature for being 19, especially with the amount of spotlight that’s on him constantly. I’m really impressed with how he handles it,” Anders Sorensen admitted about Bedard’s recent controversies, per Chicago Sun-Times beat reporter Ben Pope.

“It’s human nature to get to some points that he’s gotten over the last couple games. I remember Sidney Crosby went through a lot of that. I remember Peter Forsberg came into the league mild-mannered off the ice, but on the ice, it happens, right? They want to win. They want to be successful.“

Sorensen addresses the controversial penalties

The Blackhawks interim coach didn’t read much into the disputed game misconducts assessed to Bedard, instead he subtly praised the intensity the young star has shown.

“Last game, it was a scrum — I’m kinda [like], ‘Good for him. He stuck his nose in there and stayed in there.’ We discount that one,” Sorensen stated. “The one in San Jose, it’s frustration [in the] heat of the moment as a young player. There’s frustration sometimes [with] how they handle it. But he’s aware and he’s getting better at it.”

Sorensen also aimed at the officials as they seem to have been less permissive with Bedard, as compared to other household names in the NHL. As this season is already nearing rock bottom for the Blackhawks, these decisions may not be as costly, but in the future they could be really affected by having their best player taken off the ice in late-game situations.

Here to stay

It’s been a tough season for the fans in Windy City, and these past few weeks haven’t been no different. With Chicago mired in a four-game losing slump, there’s little to be hopeful about the team this year. But, there’s always a silver lining for those in need of one, and Ryan Donato’s breakout campaign has certainly been one positive takeaway.

It could get even sweeter for the organization in Chi-town as Donato made a key admission about his future. Ahead of an offseason in which the 28-year-old is set to become an UFA, he expressed his desire to stay alongside Bedard and the Blackhawks.

“I would love to stay,” Donato hinted about his future decision, per Chicago Sun-Times. “Ever since I’ve been here, it has felt like a second home to me. Love it in Chicago. If things work out, I would definitely love to be here.”

The Blackhawks drag a four-game losing skid and lost seven of their last ten games in the NHL. However, losing isn’t the most concerning issue for Sorensen and the team. Instead, it’s how those losses have played out, and Bedard’s failure to provide as of late.

The 19-year-old star is going through a considerable slump in his production, registering just 3 points (one goal and two assists) in March. Moreover, Bedard‘s points total has gone down while his penalty minutes increased exponentially. The center was assessed game misconducts in the Hawks’ two most recent games, though both calls were, to say the least, controversial.

Despite the struggles, Bedard and Sorensen aren’t giving up on the team, pushing every day to get better. Donato, who will become an UFA during the offseason, is on the same page, as he made something clear about his plans for the future.

“I would love to stay,” Donato stated about his contract situation, per Chicago Sun-Times. “Ever since I’ve been here, it has felt like a second home to me. [My wife and I] had our first child here, and it’s been awesome. We love it in Chicago. If things work out, I would definitely love to be here.”

Top line duties

Ahead of the Blackhawks’ matchup with the Seattle Kraken on March 18, Sorensen tried out new forward lines during the team’s first practice back in Chi-Town. Donato has been assigned to the first line, joining Bedard and Frank Nazar. It will be a brand new combo for the Hawks, as the three had never been deployed on the same line during the season.

Donato hasn’t played on the first line since February 27, when the Blackhawks fell to the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena by a score of 7-5. Donato registered an assist during the game, though him and Bedard finished with a -2 plus/minus.

Bedard and Donato will hope for a different outcome when Chicago returns to United Center after their four-game road trip, in which the team went winless, only managing to get a point.