The Rebuild Begins: How Jeff Blashill Plans to Restore the Blackhawks
Newly appointed Chicago Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill is embracing the challenge of restoring the franchise to its former prominence. Known for his player-first, developmental mindset, Blashill sees tremendous potential in a young and evolving core. He enters the role with optimism and a clear goal: to build a winning culture rooted in fundamentals, work ethic, and accountability. Leading that charge is 19-year-old center Connor Bedard, the face of the franchise and one of the NHL’s most promising rising stars.
Bedard made an immediate impact in his rookie season. The first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft led Chicago with 61 points in 68 games and was awarded the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. Blashill has praised his elite ability but emphasized Bedard’s relentless drive to improve. He believes Bedard has only scratched the surface of his potential. His creativity, precise shooting, and fast hands are already elite, but Blashill wants to refine other elements like shift discipline, puck support, and spatial separation in the offensive zone.
Still, the Blackhawks’ rebuild is far from a one-man effort. Blashill inherits a deep and talented pipeline across all positions and is eager to develop them into a cohesive, two-way team. Defenseman Alex Vlasic and forward Frank Nazar are already making their mark at the NHL level, fresh off winning gold medals with Team USA at the 2025 IIHF World Championship. Young prospects such as Artyom Levshunov, Sam Rinzel, and Oliver Moore gained valuable NHL experience late last season and are pushing to become full-time contributors. Blashill described the group as uniquely gifted and full of potential, but stressed that there is still plenty of work ahead.
Blashill’s coaching background makes him a strong fit for this stage of Chicago’s rebuild. Before his most recent stint as an assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning, he served as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings for seven seasons, compiling a 204–261–72 record. Earlier in his career, he developed future NHL players in the American Hockey League with Grand Rapids, where he earned a reputation for teaching strong fundamentals. Blashill also led Team USA at the IIHF World Championship three times and helped the squad earn a bronze medal in 2018. His track record shows a consistent ability to guide young talent into impactful pros.
Blashill will be supported by a staff built for both continuity and growth. Anders Sorensen, who served as interim head coach after the December firing, remains on the bench as an assistant, bringing familiarity with many of the team’s young players from his time in Rockford. Goaltending coach Jimmy Waite continues his long-standing role, while former NHL forward Michael Peca joins the staff after two seasons as an assistant with the New York Rangers. The group blends returning voices with fresh perspectives, united by a shared focus on player development and long-term success.
The Blackhawks’ path back to contention will require time, patience, and discipline. With a generational talent in Bedard and a wave of high-potential players developing behind him, the long-term outlook is promising. Blashill’s focus is not only on short-term improvement, but also on instilling championship habits that will last. He believes the pieces are already in place to build something special. As he put it, “Now it’s about helping them become great winners in this league.” The rebuild has begun, and Blashill is ready to lead the next era of Blackhawks hockey.
