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CBS News
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill talks about his experience and the road ahead
New Chicago Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill is hoping to bring his own experience and hone the skills of the team's young talent to make the proud franchise competitive again. Blashill, 51, spent the past three seasons as an assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Before that, he spent seven seasons as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings from 2015 to 2022. This makes him among a select few that can now say he has been coach of two of the NHL's six original franchises. Blashill recently sat down with CBS Sports Chicago to talk about the task ahead. RB: "When you were introduced as the 42nd head coach of this proud, historic franchise, you said, 'This job, this team, this moment is the exact job I wanted.' Why did you make that statement?" JB: "Well, I guess that's the way I feel, and I feel that for a multitude of reasons. One is the people — I think it's really, really important to work with great people, and kind of have a shared vision. There's a number of young players coming at a time where we have a chance to have not only depth in every position, but great, elite players in each position, and so that part excited me. The last thing would just be the experiences that I've had I think have really prepared me for this. I've lived a rebuild in the National Hockey League, so I know, you know, the rebuild and the pain that's been felt here for a couple of years. I know what I'm walking into." RB: "It's been a rough road the last few years." JB: "Yeah, and I get that. I understand that. I understand how hard it is. I understand that it's not an easy escape out of it, but that, you know, there's certain pitfalls that we'll kind of navigate as we go through." RB: "You are now the head coach of not one, but two original six franchises. Not many coaches in the National Hockey League can say that. Being from hockey town, how does the history of this organization resonate with you?" JB: "Tons, and I certainly know the rivalry between Detroit and Chicago going back to the Norris Division days, and Chris Chelios is a good friend of mine. So I certainly know what a proud franchise this is, and what a passionate, passionate fan base we have. I'm excited to be part of it." RB: "It's been a decade since the Blackhawks last won a Stanley Cup. Ten years ago, you were also hired as the coach of the Red Wings. Didn't end so great in Detroit, your hometown. As you take over this rebuild, do you feel like it's a perfect fit — because not only the 'Hawks, but you have something to prove as well that you belong as a head coach in the NHL?" JB: "For sure. It's a perfect fit in the sense that because of the experiences I've gone through that I spoke about, I know what it's going to take to get this program to the top, and I know what it's going to take for us to get there and win. Doesn't mean it's going to be easy, and it doesn't mean, frankly, that we'll execute it. We still have to go out and execute it." RB: "And it's not going to happen overnight." JB: "It is not, for sure. Ultimately, we want it to happen as quick as the fan base wants it to happen. How long before we're competitive again, I don't know that answer. But I know that we have young talent. I know that if that talent, one, buys into playing winning hockey, and if we can help that talent develop at a good rate, that we'll be there sooner than later." RB: "Coming from Tampa Bay, did you put lightning in a bottle?" JB: "Certainly, what my time in Tampa has helped me is just again, see firsthand, you know, what a championship, at NHL level, what that looks like — and learning from a guy like John Cooper, who is certainly one of the very best coaches in the league." RB: "Before we let you go, I want to talk to you about your home team — your family. Such a great moment as you were introduced to be the head coach of the Blackhawks. How important is your wife, Erica, and your three kids to your journey and helping you achieve the success and the opportunities you've had?" JBB "Amazing. When you're a wife or a child of a coach, you live the roller coaster that is coaching, and that includes the hard losses — going through those moments. That includes being released in Detroit. That includes having to move and all those things, and through that whole period of time, they've always encouraged me to keep going — and for that, I am forever grateful for them."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Could Jonathan Toews Become Latest Ex-Blackhawk to Jump to Detroit?
Aug 13, 2020; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) skates during the warmup period against the Vegas Golden Knights in game two of the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. (Sergei Belski, Imagn Images) Acrimonious though the long history between the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks may be, the two rivals have a rather extensive tradition of sharing players. And not just role players either. Chris Chelios. Bob Probert. Marian Hossa. And, to the recent satisfaction of Red Wings fans and ire of Hawks supporters, Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane. With longtime Chicago captain Jonathan Toews now eyeing an NHL comeback after two seasons recovering from the effects of Long COVID and Chronic Immune Response Syndrome, could he be the latest former Hawk to jump across the rivalry's dividing line and up I-94 to join the Red Wings? Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. The career résumé for Toews on the ice is unimpeachable. 1067 games played, 883 points, three Stanley Cup championships, a Conn Smythe, a Selke. But of course, Detroit wouldn't be signing Toews' résumé, they'd be signing a 37-year-old who hasn't played a game since the 2022-23 season. Trending Red Wings Stories Red Wings Coach Gets High Praise From Oilers' Star Advertisement Every Expiring Detroit Red Wings Contract 'They've Made Good On Their End Of The Bargain': Todd McLellan Reveals Simple Strategy For Playing The Detroit Red Wings Youth Three Potential RFA Offer Sheet Candidates for the Red Wings Ex-Red Wing Jake Walman Perfect Fit With New Team Ex-Red Wing Jake Walman Perfect Fit With New Team When the shoe fits – wear it. Because of that layoff, there are obvious questions to ask about Toews' fit in Detroit and his fitness. Perhaps those two years off were rejuvenating for Toews (and for his sake, you'd hope they were), but he was also a player showing fairly significant signs of decline (certainly relative to his peak, when he was among the most highly regarded 200-foot players in the league) before the time away. Advertisement It's hard to say what Toews has in mind when it comes to fit and contract. You certainly wouldn't imagine that Toews is embarking on this comeback for one last payday, and a short-term 'prove-it' deal with some incentives built-in would seem to make sense. You'd also think that the presence of Kane and DeBrincat in Detroit would be alluring for Toews as he weighs his options for a next stop. At the same time, it seems unrealistic to count on Toews as anything more than a fourth liner, considering his time away from the game and his age. From a Red Wings perspective, that doesn't have to be a bad thing. While there are certainly a handful of viable candidates for the role, Detroit doesn't have a clear choice for its number four center position for the coming year. Toews' track record as a winner and his defensive acumen both check boxes regarding the Wings' offseason needs. Ultimately, Toews to the Red Wings feels unlikely, but there is probably a narrow path toward it being mutually beneficial: a prove-it deal for a depth role through which Toews could re-establish himself as an NHLer. Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ex-Red Wing Tomas Tatar Signs in Switzerland
Nov 2, 2017; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Red Wings left wing Tomas Tatar (21) skates with the puck in the third period against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: (Marc DesRosiers, Imagn Images) Former Detroit Red Wing Tomas Tatar has inked a two-year contract with EV Zug of the Swiss National League, seemingly signaling the end of a 14-year NHL career for the Czech scoring forward. Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. Tatar spent the first seven years of his NHL career with the Red Wings, accruing 115 goals and 107 assists for 222 points in 407 games. He was ultimately traded to the Vegas Golden Knights at the 2018 Trade Deadline for a first, second, and third round draft pick (that first would become Joe Veleno). Advertisement After Vegas, Tatar made stops in Montreal, Colorado, Seattle, and enjoyed two tenures in New Jersey, including what seems to have been his final NHL season—seven goals, 10 assists in 74 games this year for the Devils. Trending Red Wings Stories Could Aaron Ekblad Help the Detroit Blue Line? Can Ex-Red Wings Coach Blashill Turn it Around in Chicago? Former Coach Derek Lalonde Discusses Red Wings Exit Kasper Enjoying Star Turn as Austria Marches Through Worlds With His Days in Toronto Likely Numbered, Could Mitch Marner Be a Missing Piece to the Red Wings Puzzle? From a Red Wings perspective, Tatar was part of a generation of players that (through no fault of its own) couldn't manage to live up to the lofty standard Detroit had set for itself, amidst a steady exodus of Hall of Fame–caliber talent. Advertisement After 14 seasons, Tatar played 927 games, scoring 227 goals and providing 269 assists for 496 points. That he's just shy of a few milestones (1,000 games played and 500 points) suggests perhaps Tatar might harbor fantasies of a return to fight across those lines or perhaps Tatar is satisfied with the work he's done and keen to continue his career in Europe. Do you have a favorite memory of Tatar in Detroit? If so, let us know in the comments. Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Jett wins opening battle with Tomac at Fox Raceway
Marco Kasper: 'I Don't Think There's Any Pressure' To Lead Austria To Quarters This isn't Marco Kasper's first IIHF World Championship, but things have changed a bit since his debut in 2022. Back then, the 18-year-old was three months from being drafted by the Detroit Red Wings and, despite showing the talent that would make him a first-rounder, ended the tournament with seven games. His Austrian team came from behind in its last game to beat Great Britain and avoid relegation. 2:48 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
New York Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
‘Blackhawks hit a home run': Why Jon Cooper thinks Jeff Blashill will succeed in Chicago
Jeff Blashill and Jon Cooper had been friends for years — Cooper still remembers thinking he had made a unique connection the first time they met in 2001 — but they had never worked together. Their paths had always crossed in different ways. When Blashill wasn't kept on by the Detroit Red Wings as their head coach in 2022, Cooper posed the possibility of Blashill joining his Tampa Bay Lightning staff as an assistant. Cooper thought it could benefit both of them. Advertisement 'I think there was opportunities to be head coaches in other leagues at other levels,' Cooper recalled Tuesday. 'But my thought at the time was, you know, you have an opportunity to stay in the league and be with a group that you're close with, especially me, that we can grow together and if you learn a little bit, good on you, but at least you're staying in the league. And, yeah, fortunately for us, he did, and he was like fabulous for us.' Jeff Blashill is here — Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) May 27, 2025 Blashill spent three seasons with Cooper and the Lightning. When Blashill was officially introduced as the Chicago Blackhawks' new head coach Tuesday, he explained why those seasons were so important and influential on him as a coach. 'I think the three years couldn't have worked out better … for me (and) for my own experience,' Blashill said. 'If this (Blackhawks) opportunity came along after year one, I'm not sure. But after year three, I've just had a long time to be down there to see the inner workings. And certainly, Coop is one of the best coaches in the NHL. He's been a good friend of mine for a long time. But I never coached with him, so it was good to get with him, watch him do his work, but also Jeff Halpern and Rob Zettler. All the group down there, just really smart coaches, got to learn a ton from them. … I had a chance to see a team that had just won two Stanley Cups, been to a third Final, what a championship teams looks like, how they play, how they practice, what their approaches are.' Cooper put Blashill in charge of the Lightning's penalty kill, which finished fifth and sixth in the NHL the past two seasons, but he also sought to empower Blashill as an assistant. Cooper learned a long time ago that he shouldn't be the only voice his players hear and the only person who's responsible for anything. Advertisement 'So when I first came into this league, I did everything,' Cooper said. 'I did all the pre-scouts. I was the only one that basically talked to the team ever. When I went from probably being an OK coach to a good coach is when I found great assistants and gave them autonomy. I don't want to make it sound like they can just run rogue. Everything we talk about, it's literally talked about beforehand and stuff like that, but, yeah, I'm a believer in you got to try and bring in people smarter than myself and you got to let them do their jobs. And so, it's a little bit of empowering for everyone. And I think when I speak, it probably holds even a little bit more weight than what it used to just because of the fact that there are different voices.' Blashill closely watched how Cooper interacted with everyone. 'Coop has a unique way about him that I've really enjoyed the last three years being able to observe and see the connection he has with his players,' Blashill said. 'It was a reminder to me that that's when I'm at my best, with that same kind of connection with players.' In having Blashill on his staff, Cooper got to know his friend even better. There became a deeper understanding of Blashill as a person and as a coach. 'The biggest thing about Jeff Blashill is he cares,' Cooper said. 'And you match a guy that truly, truly cares about not only winning, but the players, the players' best interests, the organization's best interests, like, there's a care factor there. And he's got like an unparalleled work ethic. So, that's a really good combination to have. Blash is one of those guys, he's got charisma, he's engaging, he can read the room. 'I think his time in Detroit was a learning experience. It was humbling for him. I think coming to us and experiencing winning like he did earlier in his career, because he'd been in one organization for a long time, not that it was better or worse anywhere else, but it's just somewhere he got to experience something different and take a step back, learn from what he thought he did well and some of his mistakes.' Advertisement The Lightning also presented Blashill with an opportunity to coach an abundance of top players in various stages of their development. 'He's sat in the room now with Nikita Kucherov, Hall of Famer, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Hall of Famer, Victor Hedman, Hall of Famer, Steven Stamkos, Hall of Famer,' Cooper said. 'You go through the group of players that he's been able to surround himself with. Some of them were older, yes, but you look at Conor Geekie, a high first-round pick who came into the league at 20 years old and watching him develop and how we did things. So I think it's a pretty good education on both sides of the fence.' Blashill noted that education during his introductory press conference. 'You get a chance to work with elite great players, every elite player I've worked with is unique,' Blashill said. 'They all kind of have their own different ways. So you get to learn from coaching a Nikita Kucherov, coaching a Steven Stamkos, a Victor Hedman, an Andrei Vasilevskiy, all the guys down there, in their own ways, Brayden Point, I can just keep going on and on. They're all different. They all take a little bit different approaches to try to connect with them, but the key is learning ways to connect with them, so you're working toward the same goal. That's helping them become the very best version of themselves, no matter what age they are, if they're young or they're a veteran in the league, and then helping them work together to bring the team toward the best goal and the greatest heights we can work to. It's really been a great experience.' The Blackhawks don't have those established stars yet. What they do have is many young, promising players. Cooper thought Blashill would figure out ways to make whatever group he has work. 'Jeff, he's open-minded,' Cooper said. 'I mean, he knows what he wants and I truly believe he knows how to get there, but it's not one of those situations where it's my way or the highway. He has an ability to listen and ability to adapt. So I think with the young group that's in Chicago, the one thing about Jeff, I think he understands accountability, but with growth, you know, how to bring guys along. He's done it in the minors. He's done it in junior. It was just tougher for him in pro because he had an older group when he was in Detroit and he's had a little bit of a younger group with us and being able to see how some of these young guys came up and how we worked with them. So I think that's all just been total growth for him.' Cooper is happy and sad to see Blashill go. Advertisement 'I truly believe the Blackhawks hit a home run with this hire,' Cooper said. 'It's tough for me because we're losing one of our aces. Ultimately, this is how it's all supposed to work, and you feel kind of proud when your assistants get to move up to head jobs. You feel like that's, you're doing some good and helping people out and it's all working.'
