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Canadiens: Luke Richardson To Become Coach Of Chicago Blackhawks

By Patrick Lortie

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 01: Assistant coach Luke Richardson of the Montreal Canadiens talks with players during a stop in play as head coach Claude Julien stand by in the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins during Game One of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 01, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 01: Assistant coach Luke Richardson of the Montreal Canadiens talks with players during a stop in play as head coach Claude Julien stand by in the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins during Game One of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 01, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images) /
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The Montreal Canadiens are going to need a new assistant coach to lead their defensive squad as Luke Richardson will be named the new head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks as per a report by Frank Seravalli.

Richardson was recently given permission to speak with the Blackhawks for the vacant coaching position and had informed the Canadiens that he would only leave the team if he were given a head coaching job.

After 22 seasons in the NHL that saw Richardson play 1417 games for Toronto, Edmonton, Philadelphia, Columbus, Tampa Bay and Ottawa, the 1987 7th overall pick immediately went into coaching after his retirement in 2009. He became assistant coach for the Ottawa Senators for three seasons before eventually accepting the position of Head Coach for the Senators AHL affiliate the Binghamton Senators for four seasons.

TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 9: Luke Richardson #2 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Montreal Canadiens during NHL game action on December 9, 1989 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 9: Luke Richardson #2 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Montreal Canadiens during NHL game action on December 9, 1989 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images) /

After taking a one year hiatus, Richardson would return to the NHL, this time as an assistant coach with the New York Islanders. That journey would last only one season as he would jump ship to the Montreal Canadiens the following year where he would remain for four seasons.

Richardson has always acted with poise and professionalism behind the bench and commanded the respect of his players not just because of his past experience as a player, but because of the way he treats his players. He is a firm believer of treating others the way he wants to be treated.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC – JUNE 18: Assistant coach Luke Richardson of the Montreal Canadiens assumes head coaching responsibilities against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period in Game Three of the Stanley Cup Semifinals of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre on June 18, 2021 in Montreal, Quebec. Head coach Dominique Ducharme (not pictured) tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the day. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – JUNE 18: Assistant coach Luke Richardson of the Montreal Canadiens assumes head coaching responsibilities against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period in Game Three of the Stanley Cup Semifinals of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre on June 18, 2021 in Montreal, Quebec. Head coach Dominique Ducharme (not pictured) tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the day. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

He has shown that in the 2021 Eastern Conference finals where he took over the bench boss duties for Dominique Ducharme who was sent home due to being tested positive for COVID-19. The team did not flinch and did everything Richardson told them to and eventually disposed of the Vegas Golden Knights exactly one year ago on this day.

The Blackhawks are currently in an interesting position as new General Manager Kyle Davidson has openly said that he is not afraid of making big changes to the roster. The name of Alex DeBrincat has often been named in recent trade rumors.

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