The Chicago Blackhawks are intensifying the search for their next head coach, sources tell Daily Faceoff.
The Blackhawks have sought permission to speak to Montreal Canadiens assistant coach Luke Richardson, 53, who has a wealth of experience at the pro level. He previously worked as an assistant coach for the Ottawa Senators from 2008-09 through 2011-12 and the New York Islanders in 2017-18. He also served as head coach of the AHL’s Binghamton Senators for four seasons and coached Team Canada to a Spengler Cup title in 2017. Most famously, Richardson was thrust into temporary head coaching duty with the Habs in the playoffs during the 2021 third round and the start of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final while Dominique Ducharme was in COVID-19 protocol.
Per sources, the Blackhawks have also sought permission to interview Vancouver Canucks assistant coach Brad Shaw, 58. Shaw has more than 20 years of coaching experience, split between the NHL, AHL and even the now-defunct IHL. He’s been an assistant coach at the NHL level every season since 2005-06, working with the New York Islanders, St. Louis Blues, Columbus Blue Jackets and, starting in 2021-22, the Vancouver Canucks.
Derek King, 55, who replaced Jeremy Colliton during the 2021-22 season and held an interim role, remains a strong candidate for the permanent job, sources tell Daily Faceoff. Chicago went 27-33-10 for a .457 points percentage under his watch, a respectable record given the unprecedented off-ice turmoil and front-office turnover the team experienced this season.
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