CHICAGO HOCKEY INSIDER | NHL TEAM | CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Jeff Blashill's comments after Blackhawks' 3-2 preseason loss to Red Wings raises red flags

PUBLICATION

Sam Walker
September 24, 2025 (1:48 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Head coach Jeff Blashill took on his former Detroit Red Wings team in his unofficial debut with Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, and it didn't turn out too pretty.

The Blackhawks appeared outworked in every single category, and the 2-3 loss was quite surprising, with all credit due to Arvid Soderblom backstopping the struggling roster.

Despite this lackluster performance, Blashill seemed quite happy and not phased.

Keep in mind, this wasn't just a random Blackhawks roster of kids, this was a loaded roster headline by Connor Bedard and several other players who played full-time in the NHL last season, against an almost full roster of Red Wings who have yet to make their NHL debuts.

According to Blashill himself, he's not surprised and appears totally fine with the Blackhawks being dominated in their first preseason matchup against the Red Wings.

«Everything is new, systems are new, and we played like we were thinking. When you think a lot, you play slow. They beat us to pretty much every loose puck,» Blashill said, via Chicago Sun-Times reporter Ben Pope. «It didn't surprise me. I knew we were going to be tired and our systems aren't natural yet. I'm OK with that. That's why we're putting the work in.»

- Jeff Blashill

Jeff Blashill's comments mirror familiar former coaches in the Blackhawks organization

When Blashill was introduced as the newest head coach of the Blackhawks, he stressed the fact that he plans to focus on bringing this organization back into their winning ways.

Which is quite contradictory to his, what seemed to be, 'happiness' after the Blackhawks' main roster group lost to the Red Wings' jam-packed roster of non-NHL-ready talent.

Many may be thinking, Oh, it's just a preseason game.

You are right, but losing cannot be an acceptable standard if this organization is ever hoping to go back to their rich winning ways.

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

Chicago Blackhawks officially announce first set of roster cuts, which includes a surprise

Jonathan Toews receives surprise promotion ahead of quiet preseason debut with the Winnipeg Jets

Insider names 8 Chicago Blackhawks who are all crucially battling for a roster spot

POLL
SEPTEMBRE 24 \| 211 ANSWERS Jeff Blashill's comments after Blackhawks' 3-2 preseason loss to Red Wings raises red flags Are you phased by Jeff Blashill's comments?
Yes, i'm unhappy	65	30.8 %
No, it is what it is	146	69.2 %
List of polls

Jeff Blashill's comments after Blackhawks' 3-2 preseason loss to Red Wings raises red flags

Head coach Jeff Blashill took on his former Detroit Red Wings team in his unofficial debut with Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, and it didn't turn out too pretty.

Jeff Blashill's comments mirror familiar former coaches in the Blackhawks organization

Are you phased by Jeff Blashill's comments?