Blackhawks: Why Derek King is the Right Coach moving forward

2. Listens to his Staff

The other thing that made the difference between Colliton and King is that Derek King listens to his staff and relies on their input. This Blackhawks team changed almost immediately after the coaching change, and Marc Crawford was elevated to an associate coach to aid in the change. Now, this team has two experienced voices, one from a coaching side and another from a NHL veteran’s side. King is a former first-round selection at 13th overall, played 830 games in the league, scoring 612 points. He also appeared in 47 post season games as well, making his credibility high above that of Colliton.

King was open about his inexperience and Marc Crawford has been helping him ease into the league by taking some responsibility from him. In just four games or so, this team looks like they know what they are doing more often than not, and the guidance from proven NHL sources look like they are making a deeper impact than Colliton and the young guys he brought with him.

King could have easily come into the locker room with an ego, telling the guys that he’s the coach now and that Crawford will listen to what he wants. What happened was the opposite, and it looks like the coaches are finally lead the team together, not just one guy at the helm. This has brought a better atmosphere with communication all around the team.