Spittin' Chiclets just reported that the Blackhawks have called a players-only meeting after a 9-2 loss in Carolina.
It followed a brutal Saturday night. Spencer Knight was pulled after allowing six goals on 17 shots, and the Hurricanes kept piling it on after he left.
Spittin' Chiclets noted that the Blackhawks called the meeting following what it described as an absolute beatdown at the hands of Carolina.
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A players-only meeting means the room is talking without the staff around, and it rarely happens. Teams usually reach for it when the message from the bench has stopped landing.
Chicago came into the night at 4-13-1 and had lost six straight. The Blackhawks were 0-8-1 on the road before the blowout in Carolina, and another loss away from home only adds to that.
Jeff Blashill has been public about his frustration for a while. After a 4-1 loss in Detroit, Blashill's blast at the Blackhawks for not skating was a step backwards in his own words, and the results haven't improved since.
Changes are coming for Blashill and Davidson
When a room calls its own meeting, the next move usually comes from above. Expect the Blackhawks to look at major changes, and a coaching change is a real possibility with Blashill behind the bench.
The roster is under the microscope too. Chris Johnston reported Saturday that Kyle Davidson is working the market for forward depth, and the GM faces mounting pressure to act.
Nothing has been announced, and the sheet of facts is thin on what was said in the meeting. But a goal differential of -37 before this game even started was already a problem, and a 9-2 loss only made it louder.
My view: firing a coach won't fix a team that has given up this many goals, and the roster has to change too. Davidson can't just point at the bench this time.
The next chance to show a reaction comes Thursday, November 12, when Buffalo visits Chicago.
Quick hits
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING: Nikita Kucherov won it in overtime, lifting the Lightning past the Wild 4-3 in Minnesota on a 4-on-3 power play. Stars don't come much more clutch than that.
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COLORADO AVALANCHE: Mackenzie Blackwood stopped all 27 shots in a 4-0 win over the Red Wings. He moves into a tie for sixth on the franchise shutout list, passing Fiset.
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EDMONTON OILERS: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins went to the dressing room early in the second period after taking a puck up high. The Oilers haven't said more yet, so keep an eye on this one.
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SAN JOSE SHARKS: Will Smith scored, but the Sharks lost 4-3 in Dallas for their fifth straight defeat. Giving up an early lead again stings.
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DALLAS STARS: Thomas Harley had a three-point night as the Stars beat the Sharks 4-3 on Saturday. He carried them home.
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Should the Blackhawks fire Jeff Blashill after the players-only meeting?
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