Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Five steps to fixing the Blackhawks on the ice

Written by 
Published in Hockey
Tuesday, 09 November 2021 03:56

The Chicago Blackhawks' fall from grace has been one of the steepest in NHL history.

The team's calamitous mishandling of former player Kyle Beach's claims that he was sexually assaulted by former video coach Brad Aldrich in 2010 has led to sweeping changes. General manager Stan Bowman and senior director of hockey operations Al MacIsaac both resigned after an investigation into the matter was released. The Blackhawks were fined $2 million by the NHL.

The tarnish on the team's Stanley Cup win -- from which Aldrich's name was removed -- was so severe that it resulted in the Blackhawks postponing the number retirement for Marian Hossa due to poor timing. "As an organization, we extend our profound apologies to the individuals who suffered from these experiences. We must -- and will -- do better," the Blackhawks said in a statement.

Off the ice, there's a lot of work to do. There's also work to be done on the ice, where that fall from grace has been ongoing for the past five years.

The team that won three Stanley Cups in the span of six seasons is now just a memory. The last playoff series the Blackhawks won was the 2015 Stanley Cup Final. They've failed to appear in the first round of the playoffs in three of the past four seasons. Coach Jeremy Colliton was fired after 2-9-2 start, as Bowman's offseason coups -- goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and defenseman Seth Jones -- were consumed by their mediocrity out of the starting gate.

Is this season already lost? Despite a .231 points percentage after 13 games, interim GM Kyle Davidson thinks there's still a chance at success -- or at least learning the best path toward it for next season.

"You find out if you're a [playoff] team in April. Let's be totally honest, the math is not in our favor right now to get to that point," Davidson said after Colliton was fired. "But no season is ever lost, because you're always going to be able to learn something, you're always going to be able to continue your evaluation process."

There are organizational decisions that take precedence over the hockey product, from ensuring the safety of the players to repairing the reputation of the brand locally and globally. But figuring out the next steps to make the Blackhawks a competitive team is a facet of those decisions.

Here are five steps to fixing the Blackhawks on the ice:

Read 265 times

Soccer

Miami defender Freire out for season with ACL

Miami defender Freire out for season with ACL

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsInter Miami CF defender Nicolás Freire is expected to miss the rema...

Salah vows to fight on at Liverpool amid exit talk

Salah vows to fight on at Liverpool amid exit talk

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMohamed Salah has given his strongest indication yet about his futu...

Sargent returns for USMNT's pre-Copa tuneups

Sargent returns for USMNT's pre-Copa tuneups

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsUnited States men's national team manager Gregg Berhalter has named...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Wemby, Holmgren headline NBA All-Rookie team

Wemby, Holmgren headline NBA All-Rookie team

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- The San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama was a unanimou...

NBA playoffs: What will decide Celtics-Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals

NBA playoffs: What will decide Celtics-Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAfter the Indiana Pacers put together the best shooting performance...

Baseball

Lindor, back in Cleveland, most misses 'winning'

Lindor, back in Cleveland, most misses 'winning'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- Three years later, Francisco Lindor finally came home....

Twins, with skid at 7, hold players-only meeting

Twins, with skid at 7, hold players-only meeting

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWASHINGTON -- Eight days ago, the Minnesota Twins were baseball's h...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated