Jeff Blashill joins the Blackhawks hoping to do it right from day one

The Chicago Blackhawks officially introduced Jeff Blashill as their 42nd head coach at their press conference on Monday.

Blashill, former Detroit Red Wings head coach and most recently an assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning, steps into a role of leading a rebuilding, young Chicago Blackhawks team— one that will require a lot of youth development, a task Blashill is well suited for.

"This job, at this moment, with this team, was the exact job I wanted," Blashill said during his press conference. "I think we have an opportunity to have depth at every position, and honestly, potential superstars at every position—that's very unique in this league."

General Manager Kyle Davidson spoke highly of Blashill's experience and coaching style, saying the hire checked every box in the team's coaching search.

"I felt Jeff was uniquely positioned and qualified to grab the reins of a group brimming in potential," Davidson said.

Jeff Blashill comes to the Blackhawks with experience—both as a head coach and as an assistant with a contender.

Blashill spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach in Tampa Bay, where he saw firsthand what it takes to build a championship-caliber team.

"I had the chance to see a team that had just won two Stanley Cups and what a championship team looks like, how they practice, how they play, and what their approaches are," Blashill said. "And all those experiences for me mean on day one of training camp, I can stand in front of our group and know exactly what it's going to take for us to get to the top."

Blashill emphasized his commitment to turn Chicago's young core into elite, well-rounded players. He also spoke about Blackhawks superstar Connor Bedard and the potential he sees in his game.

"First off, I think Connor's going to get to another level. I don't think there's any question," Blashill said. "Because like other superstars in this league, he has the drive to be the very, very best he can best he can be. And there's zero doubt of the ability that he has."

He described Bedard's offensive skillset as "really, really elite," particularly his ability to shoot, make plays, and create space in the offensive zone. Blashill added that one development goal is figuring out "how he can separate himself with the puck to create a little more space."

Blashill also said that player development and winning "go hand in hand" and said that "the way to make your team better is to develop your guys."

"Once you have your team, the best way to increase the ceiling of your team is for those individual players to get better," he said. "And that's not just the young players—that's asking Nick Foligno to make sure he continues to improve his game in finding different ways to be as successful as possible."

Blashill's coaching staff is beginning to take shape. Anders Sorensen will remain on the staff, while former NHL forward Michael Peca joins as an assistant. Longtime goaltending coach Jimmy Waite will also return. A third assistant is expected to be finalized soon.

"We've hired Michael Peca, who has been with the Rangers for the last couple of years," Blashill said. "Worked in the American Hockey League for a couple of years as an assistant to actually a very good friend of mine, Seth Appert, who was the head coach in Rochester. So I've got to know Michael through that process."

Blashill called Peca an "elite, elite winning hockey player," highlighting both his on-ice and coaching potential.

"He had an unbelievable playing career. He won two Selkes as a forward in this league, which means you're an elite, elite winning hockey player," he said. "And I think both from his coaching experience and his playing experience, he can really help mold all our players — but particularly our forwards — and help them find their best games as we try to guide them to being the best winners they can be."

While expectations in Chicago are high, Blashill wouldn't commit to a timeline for success. For him, it's about building the right culture, and not rushing the rebuild.

"I'll never put a timeline on that. I can't. I have no way of knowing how long or how quick," he said. "I didn't know when I went to Indy if it would take us multiple years. Honestly, I didn't know if I was going to make it Christmas...but we ended up winning a championship and we won it faster than people thought we would."

He reflected on similar uncertainty when he was coaching at Western Michigan and Grand Rapids, where he found success after committing to the process.

"You just don't know for sure. I know what it's going to take, and I know the process is the most important piece of that," Blashill said. "So what I will say to you is I won't rush the process for a timeline."

He even shared a football reference, observing how Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell built a winning culture over time.

"I watched Dan Campbell his first year have very, very, very little success. But I watched him continue and stay strong and build a culture," he said. "And when you see those types of experience, it's a good reminder to you as a coach. You have to make sure that you get that culture in place. And once you get that culture in place, the winning takes care of itself."

Blashill summed it up in simple terms: "I don't have an answer for how long. And to be honest with you, that's not really what my worry is. My worry is making sure we do it right from day one and we continue to do it right on a day-by-day basis."

As the Blackhawks gear up for their centennial season in 2025-26, the organization and its fans are hoping Jeff Blashill's leadership can guide a promising young roster back into playoff contention.