TheChicago Blackhawkshired veteran Jeff Blashill as the franchise's 42nd coach on Thursday to oversee the team's continuing rebuild. Blashill, 51, coached theDetroit Red Wingsfor seven seasons from 2015-22, making the playoffs his first season there after three seasons as coach of Detroit's American Hockey League affiliate. The Red Wings' 25-season playoff streak ended the following season and they haven't made it back. He has spent his past three seasons with theTampa Bay Lightningas an assistant coach under Jon Cooper. "Jeff is an incredibly smart and talented coach who boasts more than 25 years of coaching experience across developmental leagues, the NHL and the world stage," general manager Kyle Davidson said. "He's thrived when in a position to develop young players and has shown he's capable of blending that into overall team success, a vision and philosophy we share for where we are today and where we see our team in the future." Here's what to know about Blashill, what awaits him on the Blackhawks and the NHL's coaching hires this offseason: He went 204-261-72 in 537 games as the Red Wings' head coach from 2015-22. His best season was 41-30-11, his first one. His worst was 17-49-5 in 2019-20 as the Red Wings went with a young team. He lost his lone NHL playoff head coaching appearance in five games in 2016. He was head coach of the AHL's Grand Rapids (Michigan) Griffins from 2012-15, winning a championship in his first season. He also won a title with the USHL's Indiana Ice in 2008-09 and was head coach of Western Michigan in 2010-11 before joining the Red Wings as an assistant coach in 2011-12. Chicagofired Luke Richardson in Decembermidway through his third season and Anders Sorensen finished the season as interim coach. Sorensen will remain on as an assistant coach,per reports. The Blackhawks have one playoff appearance in the past eight seasons and none since 2020. They have finished second- or third-worst in the league the past three seasons. There are positives. Connor Bedard is a generational player and will keep getting better. Ryan Donato scored 31 goals and trade deadline acquisition Spencer Knight is a potential franchise goalie. Chicago willdraft third overall in Juneand has the cap space to sign free agents. But the Blackhawks traded away a lot of veterans before winning the 2023 Bedard draft lottery and lack depth. Donato is an unrestricted free agent. TheNew York Rangers hired Mike Sullivanon May 1. TheAnaheim Ducks hired Joel Quennevilleon May 8. TheVancouver Canucks (Adam Foote)andPhiladelphia Flyers (Rick Tocchet)hired coaches on May 14. The Blackhawks hired Jeff Blashill on May 22. Boston Bruins,Pittsburgh PenguinsandSeattle Kraken. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Jeff Blashill named Blackhawks head coach: What to know
