Chicago Blackhawks have a new top target for next head coach

During an appearance on 670 The Score’s “Mully & Hugh” Show on Wednesday, former Blackhawks defensiveman Chris Chelios suggested interim head coach Anders Sorenson isn’t the guy for the job. Chelios thinks Chicago needs an experienced coach like Mike Sullivan, who parted ways with the Pittsburgh Penguins this week.

“I thought I’d mentioned it earlier a few weeks ago, three weeks ago that, and not a knock against Anders Sorensen, I think he did a great job… He didn’t have that respect that a veteran coach would have,” Chelios said.

“And I still think we should have a veteran coach somewhat similar to when (Joel) Quenneville took over, those young guys, they all those draft picks, had a couple of years under their belt. And that’s where I think we’re at right now. So you see who’s available, Sullivan, (Peter) Laviolette, guys that have won, guys that had a lot of success.”

Mike Sullivan is the Blackhawks’ top target

Scott Powers of The Athletic wrote that Sullivan is a “top target” for the Blackhawks.

“Like Carle, Sullivan might decide he’s better off somewhere else,” Powers wrote. “Sullivan will have his pick of a job. Would he mind taking a role like the Blackhawks’ opening, where some patience is probably still needed?

“The Blackhawks’ rebuild isn’t as far off as it was two seasons ago, but there’s some work to be done. That comes with job security but also requires the right mindset.”

Powers also named Jay Woodcroft as a coach with experience that the Blackhawks could hire.

At 57, Sullivan has experience coaching the Boston Bruins and Penguins. The former center has a 479-311-15-112 record as a head coach in the NHL. He has made eight playoff appearances and won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017.

Pittsburgh missed the playoffs in Sullivan’s final three seasons with the team.