Blackhawks Coach Laughs Off Trying to Beat the Lightning

The Chicago Blackhawks aren't expected to win many games down the stretch as the team is going through a full rebuild and several players are just going through the motions until their tenure is over in the windy city. For interim head coach Derek King, he's trying to do his best to motivate the group and keep them engaged each and every night. Not sure if this is a smart strategy, Coach King...

The Blackhawks interim coach was blunt as can be after the team's latest loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2. King spoke after the game via The Athletic's Mark Lazerus and had this to say about his team's chances against the two-time Stanley Cup champions:

Eventually, that's the kind of team we want to be. Obviously, we're not there. ... We competed. We do. We try. We just can't compete with that type of team. We're not there. We don't have the players for it. I was ready to run out on the ice and tackle (Hagel) myself. You could see it coming Obviously, we miss a guy like that, but happy for him that he's on a team like this. He might have a chance to win a Stanley Cup, so good for him

King was referring to Brandon Hagel who was dealt from Chicago to Tampa in a blockbuster move prior to the trade deadline. Hagel in fitting fashion scored the empty netter to seal the victory for his new team. His trade to the Lightning seemed to be the straw that broke the camel's back as several veteran Blackhawks including captain Jonathan Toews were not happy about the move and questioned the true direction of management. As for King, he'll continue to try and keep his team motivated to battle each and every game, but he may want to re-consider his post game comments about standing no chance some nights.