The Blackhawks need a winner behind the bench

When Jeff Blashill made his way to Chicago, it was looked at as a step in the right direction for Hawks fans. He was coming in with NHL experience. But the question was still above his head. Could he really be an elite coach in the NHL? So far in his Blackhawks career, he has played a massive part in the development of young players. But now it's time the Blackhawks have a coach with a winning mentality behind the bench.

Chicago is no longer in rebuild mode, so neither should Blashill

Over the last couple of years, rebuilding and development have been the priority for Chicago. Now their youth are carrying their own responsibilities. And it is time to get serious. This season was meant to be a rite of passage for the Chicago Blackhawks youth. As players improve, the standard of the people behind the bench should change too.

There is no doubt that Blashill is a top NHL coach. But does he have what it takes to take this team to the next level? We have seen this season that teams have begun to make tough decisions to get their teams to the next level. Last year Anaheim brought in Joel Quenneville, and this year Edmonton has brought in Mike Babcock. Controversial decisions, but ones that can transform a franchise.

Does Blashill have the resume to prove he can be a long term winner?

In a league as tough as the NHL, it's always going to be difficult to maintain a winning record. However, Blashill hasn't been the most successful coach in the NHL, and his record shows. During his seven seasons as the coach of the Detroit Red Wings, Blashill had a record of 204-261-72. His team the playoffs only once in his first season before failing to make the postseason six seasons in a row. The results of Blashill's previous NHL experience don't necessarily say he is a serial loser. However, it shows he has a ceiling, and he may have already hit that in Chicago.

The move to Chicago was one that would massively benefit the youth and the rebuild. But not necessarily the team's long-term success. During his time in Detroit, Blashill showed he could be a mentor and could improve players. Although the numbers speak volumes about how his teams perform on the ice. Last year Blashill's Blackhawks went 29-39-14; however, it isn't the record that shows how the Hawks were underperforming. They were among the worst teams in the NHL in several categories. Including goals scored and power play. Nevertheless, Chicago was still rebuilding last year. They were still developing. So one bad season shouldn't undervalue Blashill's ability. Though it does suggest his ceiling for success isn't very high.

He isn't a bad coach, but is he the right coach?

Even though Blashill hasn't had the most successful time in Chicago so far, he still has solid credentials as a coach. Before joining the Hawks, he coached behind Jon Cooper in Tampa Bay. And general manager Kyle Davidson specifically noted that Blashill was there to develop players further. He played a massive part in guiding Detroit through a tough situation during his time there. And he has a bagload of coaching experience from top to bottom. But from a success and long-term point of view, Chicago may look to move on.

The big question is, can Blashill be the man to take the Blackhawks from rebuilding to winning? His resume and experiences prove that he can make young players better and develop a young core. What it does not prove is that he can lead that core to sustained success through the regular and post seasons.

With the Blackhawks rebuild entering a crucial and decisive transitional stage, a change in coaching may be what they need. Less developmental, more driven to win now. Chicago doesn't need a famous coach or a big name. Yet they need a coach whose resume proves they can drive a franchise to success. One playoff appearance in seven years. And only one playoff win. Jeff Blashill's credentials may not be sufficient to elevate the Chicago Blackhawks to the next level.