Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson nonetheless has fairly a little bit of job safety left.
It was simply two weeks in the past that basic supervisor Kyle Davidson described a handful of followers’ requires his firing as “ridiculous ideas,” in any case. Davidson’s aim for this season was for the veteran placeholder-laden Hawks to be extra aggressive, not a playoff contender, they usually have been that, regardless of their unflattering 6-11-1 report.
However after two years of Richardson being primarily immune from criticism — as a result of expectations had been so low that there have been not often grounds upon which to criticize him — he has made some selections just lately which have opened the door for some legitimate skepticism.
His dealing with of veteran Taylor Corridor when making him a healthy scratch Saturday in opposition to the Canucks is probably the most particular and egregious. Actually, Richardson himself admitted he may’ve navigated the scenario higher.
After apply Monday, Corridor described his benching as “surprising” as a result of he hadn’t acquired a lot destructive suggestions beforehand.
“I didn’t know that I used to be even near being in that spot, actually,” Corridor mentioned. “If there have been some conversations within the days main up about my recreation, or if I used to be consistently being proven video, it will be one factor. I used to be a bit shocked.
“It wasn’t something argumentative. He thought it was greatest for me to simply reset, and in order that’s what I’m going to do. I’m not proof against teaching, and I’m not proof against being held accountable.”
Minutes later, Richardson took accountability for that lack of communication, insisting he wasn’t “making an attempt to play thoughts video games.”
“Typically you give veterans slightly extra of a grace interval,” Richardson mentioned. “I do know he’s been pissed off. I don’t need the frustration to steer too lengthy, so it was good time for possibly slightly setback. However for me to speak with him, I have to get to know the participant extra — to see how they prefer to deal with that.
“We’ve talked tons throughout and after [Saturday], however possibly earlier than it must be extra earlier than. That’s simply one thing I [need to] study one participant.”
The 2 of them have since smoothed over tensions, and Corridor will play Tuesday in opposition to the Geese. The largest factor Richardson desires him to concentrate on is decreasing turnovers across the offensive blue line.
“There [are] coaches which will offer you a bit extra leeway on these issues, and I haven’t earned that right here in Chicago but,” Corridor mentioned. “So undoubtedly that’s what I need to repair.”
However the ahead strains surrounding Corridor on Tuesday would be the weirdest but — in a season full of wierd line mixtures — and that’s one other space the place Richardson has opened the door for criticism.
One facet of Tuesday’s strains that is sensible is Connor Bedard shifting to the wing; he’s in such a hunch {that a} main change like that feels justified. Placing him subsequent to Jason Dickinson and Joey Anderson, the anchors of the Hawks’ traditional checking line, is nonetheless unusual.
The opposite strains characteristic Ryan Donato centering Corridor and Ilya Mikheyev, Nick Foligno centering Teuvo Teravainen and Philipp Kurashev and Lukas Reichel centering Tyler Bertuzzi and Craig Smith. None of these 4 trios have spent greater than two minutes collectively all season up up to now. It’s nearly like they had been crafted by a random quantity generator.
It’s not price studying into them too deeply, nonetheless, as a result of they may most likely change once more very quickly. Richardson has shuffled the strains in any case 11 regulation losses up to now.
“We’re at a degree the place we’re determined to search out extra offense, and we’re simply going to attempt issues till we get it,” he mentioned bluntly.
There are literally hints of that desperation in all of Richardson’s current strikes. The stakes aren’t terribly excessive but — these shouldn’t be interpreted as last-ditch efforts to avoid wasting his job — however he does lastly appear to be feeling some urgency and strain.
In his Vancouver homecoming Saturday, Bedard’s aim drought prolonged to 9 consecutive video games. His most memorable play was a whiff on the purple line that led to a Canucks empty-net aim, sealing the Hawks’ eventual 4-1 loss.
Bedard spent Friday “chilling out” together with his household at house in North Vancouver earlier than dealing with the Canucks at Rogers Enviornment for the primary time within the NHL.
