Blackhawks' Coach Blashill Keeps Lines Intact Amid Injuries, Shakes Up System
In a bold move to maintain continuity amidst the NHL's ever-present injury woes, Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill has stuck to his guns, refusing to jumble up the team's forward lines even after a sluggish performance. Rather than shuffling players around like former coach Luke Richardson would have done, Blashill chose to roll out the exact same trio on Saturday against the Bruins – a testament to his commitment to maintaining a cohesive unit.
By keeping at least two familiar faces together in each of their respective lineups, the Blackhawks are able to develop chemistry and exploit opponents' defenses. For instance, Connor Bedard has spent over 50% of his five-on-five ice time with Ryan Greene and Andre Burakovsky, rather than spreading himself out among multiple linemates like he did last season.
Blashill's approach is rooted in a philosophy that allows for smart line mixing without completely disrupting the team's chemistry. By keeping two players together and then introducing a new third man into the mix, Blashill can spark his players without sacrificing the unit's overall cohesion. This strategy has been evident in how he has handled injured players, like Teuvo Teravainen, who were replaced by complementary forwards with similar skill sets.
Another key player to have benefited from this system is Landon Slaggert, a versatile forward who has seen time on both the fourth and checking lines. With his recent illness forcing him into action alongside Bedard and Greene, Slaggert praised Blashill's trust in his abilities and the team's overall stability.
The Blackhawks' ability to adapt to injuries while maintaining line continuity is a hallmark of Blashill's coaching style. As Foligno noted, "That's a sign of stability in your team... If you can find a way to have consistent lines, then you can learn what your role should be for the team." By sticking to his approach and trusting his players, Blashill has created an environment where everyone understands their roles and can contribute to the team's success.
In a bold move to maintain continuity amidst the NHL's ever-present injury woes, Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill has stuck to his guns, refusing to jumble up the team's forward lines even after a sluggish performance. Rather than shuffling players around like former coach Luke Richardson would have done, Blashill chose to roll out the exact same trio on Saturday against the Bruins – a testament to his commitment to maintaining a cohesive unit.
By keeping at least two familiar faces together in each of their respective lineups, the Blackhawks are able to develop chemistry and exploit opponents' defenses. For instance, Connor Bedard has spent over 50% of his five-on-five ice time with Ryan Greene and Andre Burakovsky, rather than spreading himself out among multiple linemates like he did last season.
Blashill's approach is rooted in a philosophy that allows for smart line mixing without completely disrupting the team's chemistry. By keeping two players together and then introducing a new third man into the mix, Blashill can spark his players without sacrificing the unit's overall cohesion. This strategy has been evident in how he has handled injured players, like Teuvo Teravainen, who were replaced by complementary forwards with similar skill sets.
Another key player to have benefited from this system is Landon Slaggert, a versatile forward who has seen time on both the fourth and checking lines. With his recent illness forcing him into action alongside Bedard and Greene, Slaggert praised Blashill's trust in his abilities and the team's overall stability.
The Blackhawks' ability to adapt to injuries while maintaining line continuity is a hallmark of Blashill's coaching style. As Foligno noted, "That's a sign of stability in your team... If you can find a way to have consistent lines, then you can learn what your role should be for the team." By sticking to his approach and trusting his players, Blashill has created an environment where everyone understands their roles and can contribute to the team's success.
it makes sense that he'd wanna keep the chemistry going, especially with Bedard looking like a superstar out there! I mean, can you blame him for sticking to what works? At least he's trying something new and not just shuffling players around willy-nilly 
, I think Blashill is onto something here! Keeping lines intact even with injuries shows he trusts his players to perform under pressure. It's also smart to not disrupt the chemistry that's built up, especially when you've got guys like Bedard and Greene clicking together. Interesting 
how this approach allows for line mixing without sacrificing team cohesion. Plus, it sounds like Blashill has created a stable environment where players feel comfortable in their roles 
, sticking to a winning formula despite all the injuries 
. It's like, if it ain't broke, don't fix it 
. Blashill's approach is pretty solid, as long as he doesn't get too attached to his "system" 
. I mean, adaptability is key in this league, right? 
️ Still, kudos to him for not panicking and trusting his players 
. And that quote from Foligno? 
sounds like a coach's motto or something...
this season! Keeping those lines intact even with injuries is pure genius 
and Blashill's approach is all about finding ways to adapt without disrupting that flow.
! And yeah, having consistent lines makes sense, it's not about replacing players every game, but finding your chemistry and making the most of who you've got on the ice 
. Those guys were like a well-oiled machine on the ice! And now, with Bedard, Greene, and Burakovsky together, they're starting to gel like that iconic line did all those years ago 
.
i love how blashill trusts his players to step up and fill in when someone's out sick or hurt. its not just about winning games, but also about building those team relationships and making sure everyone feels important 
i mean who needs to shuffle lines all the time? it sounds like he knows what he's doing 
its like he knows what makes his team tick and he just builds on that... keeps those lines intact and it seems like its really paying off 
. By having those familiar players together, it makes sense that they'd develop chemistry and start to click on the ice 
️. And I love how he's trusting his guys to step up when needed – Teuvo Teravainen is gonna be stoked to have some solid support coming into his return from injury 
. The fact that Landon Slaggert even mentioned it in an interview, saying Coach trusts him and the team's stability is a big deal 
!
I mean, I know it sounds counterintuitive to stick with the same lines when you're missing key players, but honestly, I think Coach Blashill is a genius for doing so! It shows that he's not just winging it and hoping for the best, but actually thinking about how his team can thrive even in adversity. By keeping familiar faces together, they're able to develop that chemistry that's hard to replicate when you're constantly mixing things up. And let's be real, it's working! They're still finding ways to score and adapt to injuries. I love that he's trusting his players to perform and not getting rattled by the usual ups and downs of the season. It's a testament to his coaching skills and the team's overall resilience.
. Blashill's approach is all about short term gains over long term success in my opinion 