The only approach for the Blackhawks to break out of their endless rebuilding cycle is to appoint a coach who knows how to lead teams out of a rut. They would accomplish this by focusing on youthful talent and developing them once they had joined the big club, quickly transforming them into at least peripheral contenders.
And, most of all, this coach has a track record of player growth, despite the fact that he never made the playoffs in his first season as an NHL coach. He’s also a name Hawks fans may recognize, having served as an assistant coach in Chicago for a few seasons. Plus, he’d be lot simpler to’sell’ the squad to than other well-known coaches.
If you guessed Don Granato, you deserve some bragging rights. While he struggled with the Buffalo Sabres, Granato spent his time there figuring out what it takes to be a successful NHL head coach. Now that he has a couple seasons under his belt, he may be able to take the Hawks a little further than he went with the Sabres.
Don Granato might be a blessing for rising talents like Connor Bedard.
While it is a misconception that Connor Bedard’s first two seasons were difficult – he has fallen short of expectations but has produced well – Granato is one coach who has demonstrated the ability to turn around careers.
Tage Thompson was a no-name in Buffalo, and Rasmus Dahlin was in a similar position to Bedard, despite the fact that they played different positions.
Fast forward to 2025, and Tage has scored more than 40 goals for the second time in three seasons. Dahlin should compete for a significant number of Norris Trophy votes, and if he played for a better club, he could be a genuine Norris candidate year after year.
Granato is a coach I would trust to bring out the best in Bedard and convert him into a superstar like Tage Thompson. Bedard lacks Tage’s length, but he has greater potential. In addition, Granato’s presence would aid players such as Artyom Levshunov, Alex Vlasic, Frank Nazar, and Colton Dach, to mention a few.
Then there are players like Philipp Kurashev, who showed promise but fell far short of it last season. I can’t think of anyone who could better bring out the best in Kurashev and possibly put him back on track.
Lessons from a decent but unspectacular stint in Buffalo.
Don Granato changed the culture in Buffalo, transforming the team from a league laughingstock to a contender in 2022-23. The 2023-24 season was a step back, but injuries to players such as Tage Thompson most certainly contributed to it.
Granato also struggled to hold players accountable, but that is a mistake he is unlikely to make again, especially if he is hired by the Blackhawks, a large-market team with a long history. While there are other big, more successful names out there, the Hawks need someone who can develop young players and prospects while still having a proven track record. Granato meets the criteria.
While I suspect the Hawks will go in this approach because Granato had three and a half seasons to snap the Sabres’ playoff drought and came up short, he still deserves serious consideration. Granato would be an excellent choice if their first objective is to maximize Connor Bedard’s potential.
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