CHICAGO — As the Chicago Blackhawks prepare for a new chapter under head coach Jeff Blashill, the city’s sports landscape is offering a timely blueprint for success—courtesy of the Chicago Bears.
With preseason hockey just around the corner, Blashill will soon get his first real chance to show what he brings to the Blackhawks. And if he’s looking for inspiration, he doesn’t have to look far. Bears head coach Ben Johnson, also in his first year leading a Chicago team, has quickly made a statement.
On Sunday, the Bears dominated the Buffalo Bills in a 38-0 blowout at Soldier Field. It was Johnson’s second preseason game, but the first featuring the team’s starters. From the first snap, the Bears imposed their will—fast-paced, aggressive, and clearly in sync. It’s exactly the kind of tone-setting performance that fans in Chicago are hoping to see from their hockey team in the coming weeks.
While the sports differ, the stakes are similar: two proud franchises with rich histories that have recently struggled to compete. Both fanbases are desperate for a turnaround. And with top-tier young talents—Caleb Williams for the Bears and Connor Bedard for the Blackhawks—the foundation is in place. Now it’s up to the coaches to maximize that potential.
In fact, Blashill has already taken a step toward connecting with the city’s broader sports culture. Last week, he visited Halas Hall, where he met with Johnson and watched the Bears go through training camp drills. The meeting marked a symbolic crossover—two coaches at the dawn of new eras, both tasked with turning around their respective teams.
“Coach Blashill Coach Johnson,” read a tweet from the Blackhawks’ official account, accompanied by a photo of the two shaking hands.
But the optimism surrounding Johnson’s arrival has, so far, outpaced that of Blashill’s. Johnson, who built a reputation as a creative offensive mind in Detroit, has sparked enthusiasm from fans and media alike. His system is already showing results, and the Bears look poised to enter the regular season with confidence.
Blashill, meanwhile, arrives in Chicago with a more cautious reception. After several up-and-down seasons coaching the Detroit Red Wings, he’ll need to prove that he can elevate a young Blackhawks roster that has struggled with consistency. Bedard may be the centerpiece, but the team around him will need to play with greater energy, cohesion, and resilience if they want to stay competitive.
One thing is clear: effort and identity matter—especially in the preseason. The Bears are setting a tone in August that could carry through to the fall. For Blashill and the Blackhawks, replicating that urgency could help shake off past struggles and give the team a fresh start.
With several players on the Blackhawks’ roster poised for breakout seasons, Blashill has an opportunity to mold a new culture on and off the ice. If he can take a page from Johnson’s playbook—by instilling a clear vision, setting a high standard early, and getting buy-in from his stars—he might just change the trajectory of this franchise.
As the countdown to puck drop begins, one thing is certain: in Chicago, first impressions go a long way.
