NHL Rumors: Top insider reports Chicago Blackhawks plan for head coach position after Anders Sorensen's interim takeover

The Chicago Blackhawks have made a coaching change, relieving Luke Richardson of his duties and naming Rockford IceHogs head coach Anders Sorensen as interim head coach.

General Manager Kyle Davidson announced the moves on Thursday after the team's disappointing 8-16-2 start to the season. They've also suffered defeats in eight of their last ten games.

According to top insider Pierre LeBrun, the Blackhawks' plan is for Sorensen to remain interim head coach for the rest of this season. LeBrun said:

"The plan for Chicago is for Anders Sorensen to be interim HC for rest of the season at which point the Blackhawks will conduct a coaching search process at that time. Sorensen, depending on how he fares, could obviously be a candidate within that process. Hawks are high on him."

LeBrun notes that Sorensen could be a candidate for the permanent job depending on how he fares as interim coach.

Anders Sorensen priority should be Connor Bedard's development

Connor Bedard's development should be Anders Sorensen's top priority as interim head coach of the Blackhawks, as per the Athletic's Scott Power.

The 19-year-old phenom had a strong rookie campaign last season but has hit some bumps in year two. A recent 12-game goal drought seemed to open his eyes to how difficult and inconsistent scoring can be in the NHL.

Sorensen has a reputation for innovative ideas about bringing along young players. GM Kyle Davidson seems open to creative suggestions to put Bedard in the best position to maximize his potential.

"Now, it’s Sorensen’s job to figure out how to get the most out of Bedard... It sounds like Davidson has some ideas about where he thinks Sorensen can help Bedard, but he wants to hear Sorensen’s ideas, too," Scott Power said.

"He’ll have his say on how he handles Bedard’s development. Time will tell, but Sorensen could play a huge role in the future of Bedard and the Blackhawks."

How Anders Sorensen handles Bedard's development in these formative years could have a monumental long-term impact.

The 49-year-old Swedish coach has spent the past six seasons as head coach of the IceHogs, Chicago's AHL affiliate. He originally joined the Blackhawks as a development coach in 2013 before moving up to assistant coach and then head coach in Rockford. The Blackhawks are hoping Sorensen can help turn things around after a disastrous start under Richardson.