The Chicago Blackhawks kicked off their preseason on Tuesday night with new head coach Jeff Blashill taking the bench at a venue he knows well. The Blackhawks faced off against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
It was fitting that Blashill’s first game coaching Chicago—preseason or not—was against Detroit, where he spent seven years coaching. Blashill was the last Red Wings head coach to lead the team to the playoffs back in 2016, though he also witnessed the end of Detroit’s 25-year playoff streak. He played a key role in developing current Red Wings star Dylan Larkin but didn’t find postseason success and was dismissed after the 2021-22 season.
Chicago hopes Blashill’s second chance as a head coach proves more successful. They believe he can guide Connor Bedard and the team toward playoff contention, although some growing pains are expected.
The Blackhawks lost their first preseason game 3-2 to Detroit. When asked about the game, Blashill admitted he wasn’t surprised by his team’s performance.
“Everything is new, including our systems, and we played like we were thinking too much. When you overthink, you play slower. They won most of the loose puck battles,” Blashill said. “It didn’t surprise me. I knew we’d be tired and not fully comfortable with the new systems yet. That’s okay—that’s why we’re working hard.”
Blashill recognizes the Blackhawks have a lot to improve on this season. The team struggled under his new defensive strategies, especially in their first outing. They were heavily outshot 43-17, with Detroit constantly pressuring goaltender Arvid Soderblom. Ten Red Wings players had three or more shots on goal during the game.
While the value of preseason games is debated, they offer a glimpse into the style a new coach wants to implement. In this first game, Chicago showed there is plenty to work on.
Additionally, the Blackhawks aren’t currently a playoff contender nor are they at the tail end of a rebuild like Detroit. Chicago is still building its roster, making preseason more significant as several players compete for roster spots heading into the 2025-26 NHL season.
There is much work ahead, but there remains hope for the team’s future. Fans will want to watch how these young players respond in upcoming games.
