Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson Gives Reasons for Coaching Changes

Head coach Luke Richardson of the Chicago Blackhawks looks on against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on Dec. 19, 2023. Michael Reaves/Getty Images

The Chicago Blackhawks’ three Stanley Cup wins in the 2010s look like a much more distant memory than a decade, and general manager Kyle Davidson wants to do something about it.

Davidson has decided to bring in “a new voice” amid the firing of head coach Luke Richardson, who led the team since 2022. Richardson couldn’t get the struggling franchise back on track, which included a league-worst 8–16–2 start this season.

“Obviously a tough day yesterday,” Davidson told reporters on Friday regarding Richardson’s firing on Thursday. “I’d like to thank Luke Richardson for all of his effort and commitment to the organization and to the community, but unfortunately, some of the realistic expectations that we had coming into the year just were not met.”

Richardson took over a franchise that missed the playoffs back-to-back seasons with 28 or fewer wins, but he couldn’t make headway in the rebuilding process. The Blackhawks went 57–118–15 under Richardson and never won more than 26 games in a season.

“I think our results fell a little bit short, so I felt a change needed to be made and a new voice was needed,” Davidson said.

Anders Sorensen will take over as the team’s interim head coach after his time with the Rockford IceHogs, an AHL affiliate of the Blackhawks. Sorensen has a 117–89–16–7 record with the IceHogs, which he began coaching in 2021.

“I’m very confident Anders Sorensen will be a good source of a new voice, new ideas and someone who’s capable of extracting more from this group,” Davidson said.

Chicago is 30th for goals scored this season at 63 through 26 games, and the team has allowed an 11th-worst 82 goals this year. The Blackhawks have won consecutive games only once this season.

“With a little better execution and ability to manage some of the games and the personnel in games, could we be a bit ahead? I think so,” Davidson said. “But we are where we are, so we’ll give Anders some run and we’ll see where we’re at the end of the year, take stock of what needs to happen.”

Davidson expressed he isn’t concerned about the transition for the IceHogs, which has produced talent for the Blackhawks over the years. Blackhawks assistant general manager Mark Eaton will take over for Sorensen as the IceHogs head coach.

“Mark Eaton stepping in is someone who’s been around that group a ton. He knows all the players, the players all know him,” Davidson said. “He and Anders have worked hand in hand for a number of years now, so that’s a natural, seamless transition that should continue the really good work that’s going on there.”

Sorensen will make his debut as Blackhawks head coach on Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets (19–8–0).