The Chicago Blackhawks should now consider this head coach

The Chicago Blackhawks are in the process of looking for their new full-time head coach. Derek King took over for Jeremy Colliton early in the 2021-22 season and it went okay. King was certainly better than Colliton but the Hawks probably need an overhaul.

A former Blackhawks player is someone for them to consider as Andrew Brunette might be looking for a head coaching job now. He replaced Joel Quenneville as Florida Panthers coach at the beginning of the season after he stepped down.

Brunette was so good with that Panthers team. He was a finalist for the Jack Adam’s Award for his work but they decided not to bring him back as head coach. They announced on Wednesday that they are hiring former Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice to be the guy. 

It would be smart for Brunette to move on from that organization so he can try and become a head coach again instead of being an assistant once again. He has proved himself more than some coaches that have been in it for years.

The Chicago Blackhawks need to consider hiring Andrew Brunette as head coach.

Yes, the Panthers have an elite roster. That is a big reason why Brunette was able to help them win the President’s Trophy this year. However, we have seen talented rosters underachieve in the regular season like that a lot.

He was able to distract them from all the Joel Quenneville stuff too which shows that he has what it takes to do this job. It takes more than just hockey Xs and Os to be an NHL head coach and Brunette showed he can do it.

Coaching the Chicago Blackhawks would be a completely different challenge for Brunette. Instead of Stanley Cup aspirations, they have first overall pick aspirations with this roster. They might get even worse before the 2022 NHL Draft as big trades could be made.

It is a lot worse of a situation than Florida right now but he can help them build it back up. Kyle Davidson would be wise to consider him as the head coach in this role. Brunette would be able to show what he can do with a roster loaded with young and unproven talent.

Brunette played with the Blackhawks for one season to end his career. He put together a really nice career as an NHL depth player which oftentimes translates into a great head coach. He knows what it takes to grind it out and get the most of his talent.

The Blackhawks would be wise to see if he would rather come to be their head coach instead of being Florida’s assistant coach after they demoted him.