Overall this move will help the Chicago Blackhawks. Hockey fans in Chicago, more than any other city, recognize the Sutter family. Three Sutter brothers have played for the Blackhawks and Brian's brother Darryl has been behind the bench before.

	Brian Sutter was hired to bring back the toughness Chicagoans expect from their teams.

Chicago has needed to reclaim the old Blackhawk mentality and identity that mirrors how the city sees itself: the tough, hard-working City of Broad Shoulders. Brian Sutter is nothing if not that. He can mold the team in the image of his character and institute a gameplan that will stress those traits. His coaching record indicates that he produces players who work hard every night. The Blackhawks have truly gotten away from the legacy of Dick Butkus that was carried by Jeremy Roenick and Chris Chelios.

But while I applaud the attempt to regain a workmanlike attitude, the move surprises me because this is not a decision GM Mike Smith would make. This team has just gone through the leadership of a European coach, Alpo Suhonen. And their top six forwards are of the skilled, as opposed to gritty, variety and were just getting used to a flow-type game under both Alpo and Lorne Molleken before him.

This move is a complete turnaround and makes me wonder if Mike Smith really made this hire. This decision seems to have come from above the current general manager.

This move was a good one because it establishes an identity for the Chicago Blackhawks (perhaps re-establishes is a better word). But I'm disappointed for current Hawks' assistant and former star player Denis Savard. I believe he's ready to be a coach and he deserved an opportunity. Perhaps he lacks head-coaching experience, but Smith had shown a willingness to forgo that when he hired Suhonen.

Bob Pulford and Bill Wirtz trust the Sutter brand. They are now going to have to acquire players who fit Brian Sutter's idea of what a player should be. They've got Brian and they're going to have to fill in character players around him. But that will have to come later. This is the first move of many.