Blackhawks refreshed under Sorensen: Adjustments 'needed to be made'

The Chicago Blackhawks are embracing a fresh approach from interim head coach Anders Sorensen one week into his tenure behind the bench.

Sorensen took over after the club fired Luke Richardson, marking his first NHL coaching gig. He previously ran the AHL's Rockford IceHogs.

"He doesn't have to win us over," veteran Taylor Hall told The Athletic's Mark Lazerus. "We're all in this together, right? We need to support him as much as he's supporting us. And not to pile on the previous coach, but I think there were some adjustments that needed to be made - and that are being made - that are really going to help us play well."

Hall noted he expects Chicago's offense to improve under Sorensen's guidance. The Blackhawks rank 30th in the NHL this season with 2.39 goals per game.

Richardson was hired as Blackhawks head coach before the 2022-23 season and accumulated a 57-118-15 record. Chicago's struggles led to drafting Connor Bedard first overall, but the club hasn't progressed as expected after landing one of the most hyped prospects in league history.

The Blackhawks are 1-1 since Sorensen replaced Richardson, but the new coach appears to have already made an impact in the dressing room.

"Sometimes a new voice is good," forward Pat Maroon said. "Luke was great. I wish him all the best. But sometimes a new voice can change things. Anders has done a really good job in Rockford, and all the young guys love him. And we vets already love him, too."