Blackhawks closing in on deal to make Luke Richardson head coach

Montreal Canadiens replacement coach Luke Richardson is seen behind the team bench as they face the Vegas Golden Knights during first period of Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup semifinal Friday, June 18, 2021 in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/CP)

The Chicago Blackhawks are in contract negotiations with Luke Richardson to make him their next head coach, Sportsnet can confirm.

Previously an assistant coach of the Montreal Canadiens, Richardson takes over the Blackhawks after interim coach Derek King finished off the 2021-22 season.

Richardson joined the Canadiens as an assistant coach in 2018. The Ottawa native worked under three head coaches — Claude Julien, Dominique Ducharme and Martin St. Louis.

Richardson filled in for Ducharme as head coach for the final four games of the 2021 Conference Finals after a positive COVID-19 test, guiding the Canadiens to a win over the Vegas Golden Knights. He remained in charge for the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final.

The former NHL defenceman also has been an assistant coach with the Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders and a head coach of the AHL’s Binghamton Senators.

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