Major Tensions Emerging Between Blackhawks Head Coach and Young Star
There will be plenty of growing pains for the Chicago Blackhawks as the young team gains experience over the next few years, and we're seeing some of them now as well. Case in point: head coach Luke Richardson and a potential star defenceman.
Young Star and Head Coach in Chicago Test Each Other's Patience
22-year-old Isaak Phillips is getting plenty of games and ice time with the Chicago Blackhawks right now, but it's not really because of his play. The Blackhawks have been hit by the injury big, and Richardson has little choice but to rely on inexperienced players right now. For his part, Phillips believes he's playing well.
While Richardson realizes Phillips has basically been thrown into the fire right now, he wants more consistency from him regardless.
"You can't be 50-50 in the NHL. You have to be close to 100% almost every night."
Blackhawks Coach Luke Richardson Not Seeing Eye-to-eye with Young Defenceman
Due to injuries, Phillips will continue to play in the NHL a while yet, unless he gets hurt himself. This can be a good or bad thing, depending on who you're speaking to. The experience is invaluable for any young player. However, you hate to see someone with potential getting thrust into a role they aren't ready for. It can be a confidence killer.
| POLL | ||
DÉCEMBRE 27 | 109 ANSWERS Major Tensions Emerging Between Blackhawks Head Coach and Young Star Will Phillips stay in the NHL this year? | ||
| Yes | 34 | 31.2 % |
| No | 38 | 34.9 % |
| Not sure | 37 | 33.9 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Zachary Werenski | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
| Sean Monahan | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Jesper Bratt | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Frederick Gaudreau | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Jack Hughes | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Nikita Kucherov | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Mackenzie Weegar | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Kent Johnson | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Alexander Wennberg | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Mitchell Chaffee | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Anthony Cirelli | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matthew Coronato | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Marcus Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Nick Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Conor Geekie | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brandon Hagel | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Stefan Noesen | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Corey Perry | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Igor Sharangovich | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Dmitry Voronkov | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 19 | 16 | 3 | - | 32 | |
Wild | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 29 | |
Hurricanes | 19 | 14 | 5 | - | 28 | |
Devils | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 19 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 27 | |
Golden Knights | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
Flames | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||