HawkTalkChi

The Chicago Blackhawks officially closed the book on the 2024–25 season this week, and general manager Kyle Davidson wasted no time setting the tone for what’s next — starting with a full-time head coaching decision that’s looming large.

After firing Luke Richardson on December 5, the Blackhawks handed the interim role to Anders Sorensen, who led the team to a 15-20-9 finish (.361 point percentage).

Now, Davidson is making it clear: the coaching search will be more proactive than it was last time.

I was calling around for permissions on candidates at the [NHL Draft] Combine

Davidson said.

That’s too far down the road for me.

I’d like to get a much quicker start than I did last time around.

Davidson revealed no formal interviews have been conducted yet — the organization was focused on getting through the remainder of the season first — but that process will begin immediately.

Ideally, he hopes to have the new head coach in place before the draft and free agency.

That’s something we’re going to do moving forward, but we wanted to get through the season

he said, when asked if interviews had already started.

One question still hanging in the air: will the next Blackhawks coach have NHL experience?

That’s something we’ve discussed a lot and the value of that — and I believe there is value in that Davidson acknowledged.

But what we’ve probably come to the conclusion on is it’s not the end all, be all.

It is certainly a feather in a candidate’s cap… But it’s not necessarily something that we would consider mandatory he added.

It’s a notable shift in tone from years past.

Each of the last four Chicago bench bosses — including Richardson, Sorensen, Derek King, and Jeremy Colliton — were first-time NHL head coaches when they got the job.

Davidson seems open to either track this time, emphasizing fit over résumé.

As for Sorensen, who has already spent significant time in the role and with the organization, he remains a strong internal candidate — even if he doesn’t get the top job.

I don’t know what the future’s going to hold, I don’t know where it’s going to go and I don’t want to disqualify him in talking about any other roles

Davidson said.

The one thing I will say is, we hold great value in Anders.

If the coaching search doesn’t go in his favor, he’s going to be part of our organization.

We want him as part of the organization, no matter what.

Davidson praised Sorensen’s hockey mind, leadership, and longstanding connection with the team, calling him a great person and someone who embodies the type of culture the franchise is trying to build.

While Chicago continues its rebuild around Connor Bedard and its young core, the coach they choose this summer could play a huge role in shaping that development.

With a quicker process already underway, all signs point to a busy — and potentially transformative — offseason at the United Center.