A source has confirmed that the Chicago Blackhawks are expecting to appoint Montreal Canadiens assistant Luke Richardson as coach

An NHL source confirmed to ESPN Friday that Luke Richardson is expected to become the new head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Richardson will replace interim coach Derek King, who went 27-33-10 after coaching Jeremy Coleton 12 games into the season. Sources said Richardson, an assistant coach for the Montreal Canadiens, was offered the coaching position this week.

The Black Hawks are awaiting the finalization of some contract details, and Richardson is expected to be officially announced as coach next week.

The Daily Vesuvius first reported on the expected hiring of Richardson.

Richardson, 53, has been assistant coach on the Canadian bench for four seasons, working with three different coaches. Prior to that, he was Technical Director of AHL Binghamton Senators, the largest branch of the Senate in Ottawa, from 2012 to 2016 and worked as an assistant for Ottawa and the New York Islands.

In the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs, Richardson took over the Canadians’ seat when coach Dominique Ducharme entered NHL COVID-19 protocol. He went 3-3 and led the Canadians to bypass the Vegas Golden Knights to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. Ducharme returned for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, which the Canadians lost in five games to Tampa Bay Lightning.

Richardson has played 21 years in the NHL as a strong defensive man, most notably with the Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers.

The move would leave the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and Winnipeg Jets as the only teams without a head coach.

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