The Lightning suddenly have an opening on their coaching staff after assistant Jeff Blashill was hired to become the new head coach of the Blackhawks on Thursday. Blashill was a trusted member of Jon Cooper’s staff the past three seasons,

Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson announced today that Jeff Blashill has been named the 42nd head coach in franchise history. Blashill joins the organization after spending the previous three seasons as an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Jeff Blashill, who spent the last three seasons as a Tampa Bay Lightning assistant, has been named the 42nd head coach in Chicago Blackhawks history.