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NHL: NHL Draft Jun 28, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson makes the nineteenth pick in round one of the 2023 NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

Everything on the Chicago Blackhawks’ coaching front is awfully quiet right now

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Andy Jachim | Last updated May 15, 2025 11:00 AM ET

The Chicago Blackhawks front office is continually watching other organization’s hiring their next head coach this offseason. The franchise has a few important matters to attend to this summer, but getting the right guy behind the bench is arguably the most important decision they need to make. Luke Richardson was relieved of his duties as the Blackhawks’ head coach in December after spending nearly two and a half seasons in the role.

Anders Sorensen was brought up from Rockford to serve as Chicago’s interim head coach for the rest of the campaign, and he could now be a prime candidate to keep the job for this upcoming season. Fans are growing frustrated that the Blackhawks front office doesn’t seem to have a sense of urgency in hiring for their most important coaching job in recent memory. It appears that they aren’t the only ones that are asking questions about the organization’s process in this coaching cycle.

Nobody knows what the Chicago Blackhawks are going to do

Hockey insider Elliotte Friedman didn’t have an extremely positive update on Chicago’s coaching search on the latest installment of, 32 Thoughts: The Podcast.

“I’ll freely admit, I don’t have a great handle of where Chicago is right now,” Friedman said.

When the top NHL insider can’t firmly put his finger on the direction of an organization’s head coaching search, there is reason for concern. Five vacancies have now been filled in this cycle, making Chicago just one of four openings left across the league. The latest two positions that were filled on Wednesday, with former Vancouver bench boss Rick Tocchet taking the Flyers job, and top Canuck assistant, Adam Foote, been promoted as the lead man in Vancouver.

Jay Woodcroft might be the Chicago Blackhawks’ best option left

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs Vegas Golden Knights at Edmonton Oilers May 14, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft looks on from the players bench during the third period against the Vegas Golden Knights in game six of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images

If Chicago doesn’t want to stay in-house with Sorensen, Woodcroft would be a logical candidate to pursue with what little is left on the market. The 48-year-old has spent parts of three seasons as the head coach of the Oilers and had a stellar 2022-23 campaign. It was Woodcroft’s only full year at the helm in Edmonton, and it he made it count with his 50-23-9 record and 109 points. The Toronto native took over after the Oilers had a rough start to the 2021-22 season and turned the ship around by posting a 26-9-3 record in 38 games.

Woodcroft has worked with stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, so the Blackhawks front office knows they can trust him with the development of young guys like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar. At the end of the day, it would be good for Chicago to bring in a head coach who has had any type of success at the NHL level. Woodcroft certainly fits that description, despite having a short stay in Edmonton.

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs Edmonton Oilers at Vegas Golden Knights May 6, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft fields questions in a press conference after the Oilers defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in game two of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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