Blackhawks: Coaching Candidates who could take the reins right now

The tried and true formula is to promote the assistant coach, in this case, Marc Crawford. He’s got plenty of experience behind the bench and has even been in a situation of haven taken over as interim coach  (see Guy Boucher of the Ottawa Senators further down this list).

He certainly fits the bill on paper as a decent coach, but his record has been pretty spotty. Yes, he’s got a Stanley Cup to his name, and that’s important, but that was also in 1995-96. Ever since his time with Colorado he doesn’t have an overwhelmingly impressive record. He has the experience, but is he an upgrade?

Cynics will say that anyone is an upgrade, but what does Crawford offer Chicago as a head coach? It’s not like he’s an in-demand name when it comes to a team’s coaching staff. It’s also not clear if Chicago wouldn’t just remove the entire bench should it come down to a coaching change.

Chicago needs to make or break for the playoffs and Crawford has been a part of the Blackhawks as an assistant for several years. It’s not clear where Colliton’s influence ends and the assistant’s begin, but it’s hard to see where Crawford would be a difference-maker for Chicago. Maybe, he’s got the experience and the Stanley Cup pedigree, but it might also be time for a fresh start.