Toronto — Opening night at Sidney Crosby’s barn on ESPN. Followed by three games in Original Six markets in Boston, Montreal, and Toronto. It has been quite a road gauntlet for the Chicago Blackhawks to start the Connor Bedard era. So, what is it like being the general manager of a team that feels like a traveling circus?
“It definitely adds a new dynamic to the job, doesn’t it?” said Chicago general manager Kyle Davidson in a sitdown interview with The Athletic on Monday. “You find yourself talking to the PR and business staff more than usual, making sure everyone is prepared for the games and performing well on the ice. And at the same time, you want to ensure that our young players, of which we have quite a few, aren’t getting too distracted. Whether it’s Connor or anyone else, the focus needs to be on the ice while still fulfilling off-ice obligations. It’s about making sure everyone is comfortable in their roles.”
The season-opening five-game road trip, which concludes on Thursday in Colorado, hasn’t been easy for the Blackhawks. But Davidson sees some benefits to it. “It’s probably not going to get any worse than this,” he said. “So we’re getting the difficult part out of the way early, with the intense markets and media exposure. I don’t mind it. And I don’t mind hitting the road early either.”
Having all the players together on the road should also help with team bonding, especially with so many new faces on the roster during this massive rebuild. On the ESPN telecast on opening night, Ray Ferraro compared the Blackhawks’ situation to building a house from the foundation up. He said that so far, the team has only purchased the lot and cleared the land, with a lot of work still ahead in building the foundation. Many of their prospects aren’t expected to be NHL-ready for years. Ferraro’s comment resonated with Davidson.
“I agree that we are still in the early stages,” Davidson said. “People want to know where we’re at, if things have sped up because we won the lottery, but it’s important to stay flexible and adaptable. If some of our young players develop quickly, then maybe we’re ahead of schedule. Or maybe they don’t. It’s about getting it right rather than rushing to the finish line.”
Davidson wants the Blackhawks to be as competitive as possible as soon as possible, but he won’t make the mistake of rushing player development. “We’ve put a lot of effort into acquiring draft capital and we have some really nice pieces that will be a major part of our future,” he explained. “But many of these players aren’t in pro hockey yet. That takes time. The NHL is the best league in the world.”
The Blackhawks also have four first-round picks in the next two drafts, as well as the most salary-cap space in the NHL. Davidson sees this as an advantage. “There aren’t many teams that can take on contracts, but we can,” he said. “If the right opportunity comes up, we’re willing to utilize that. It has to be the right fit from an asset perspective. Like you said, we have the room to accommodate that.”
This flexibility also gives the Blackhawks options in the 2024 free agency. “It gives us flexibility,” Davidson noted. “We used that flexibility this summer to sign veterans Nick Foligno and Corey Perry. They have been great additions to the team, helping to develop a culture and mentor the younger players. We brought them in to contribute on the ice.”
Looking ahead to the trade deadline, Davidson believes that Foligno and Perry have greater internal value than the middling draft picks they could fetch in a trade. “We signed them to be Blackhawks,” he emphasized. “We brought them in because we saw the value they would bring to our team. That’s our sole focus.”
While he is dedicated to the present roster, Davidson is also keeping an eye on the future. He recently attended an OHL game to watch one of their prospects play. However, he encountered a small issue at the arena entrance. “I forgot my NHL ID to get in,” he laughed. Fortunately, Blackhawks assistant GM Norm Maciver vouched for him. Davidson sees the humor in this situation and the infamous “Kyle from Chicago” interview during the draft.
“Honestly, I’ve heard more about that interview than anything I’ve done on the job,” he smiled. “That’s my claim to fame right now. But I hope that changes as I continue to make my mark on this roster.”
Davidson is confident in his vision for the rebuild and believes in involving the entire staff in decision-making. “I have a strong belief system in how decisions should be made,” he said. “We need to set our intentions and drive toward them, making sure everyone in the hockey operations department understands our goals.”
Despite his youth, Davidson is determined to prove himself as a capable NHL general manager. He’s learning and growing every day, and he’s eager to see the Blackhawks succeed in the long run.
Sarah Anderson dives into the fast-paced world of NHL hockey. Her coverage includes game analysis, player spotlights, and the latest news from the ice. Sarah’s dedication to the sport ensures that hockey enthusiasts stay informed about the NHL’s thrilling action.
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