Blackhawks expected to hire Luke Richardson as next head coach

If a deal with Richardson is complete, it will add to the growing list of NHL franchises to make recent head-coaching moves (whether retaining or hiring a new leader). Just in the past week, the Florida Panthers hired Paul Maurice, the Dallas Stars brought in Peter DeBoer, the Edmonton Oilers extended Jay Woodcroft and the Philadelphia Flyers landed John Tortorella.

Richardson played 21 seasons in the NHL from 1987 to 2008, suiting up for seven different teams.

Since his playing days ended, the 53-year-old has had assistant coaching gigs with the Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens, as well as a lead job with the Binghamton Senators of the AHL.