Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson has made it clear that the franchise’s rebuild remains a work in progress, even with Connor Bedard already in tow and leading the way.
In his third full season as GM, Davidson is grappling with the challenge of building a competitive roster around the highly-touted no. 1 pick from the 2023 NHL Draft.
For context, the Blackhawks won 26 games the season before drafting Bedard, then went on to win even fewer games (23) during his rookie season last campaign, and have won 14-of-41 games so far this season, on pace for 28 victories.
Speaking with Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet on Wednesday, Davidson addressed Bedard’s perspective on the team’s struggles, revealing that, for now, Bedard is “comfortable” with the overall vision for the franchise.
“Yes, yes. That’s the most important thing,” Davidson said. “I don’t want to be in 32nd place. He doesn’t want to be in 32nd place, no one does. Understanding what else is happening in the organization, what we’re thinking moving forward.
“All of that is very important for him to understand to some extent.”
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) looks on against the Florida Panthers. Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images
Davidson acknowledged the need to strike a balance between patience and urgency in the rebuilding process.
“You have to be proactive at some point and be interested and hungry to push,” Davidson said. “We’re always open and seeing what’s available and what could be done in terms of trying to push things forward in a different way.”
Despite Bedard’s success as a rookie (he led the team with 61 points in just 68 games played) and this season (37 points, including 11 goals and 26 assists, in 41 games), the Blackhawks’ 14–25-2 record through Wednesday’s slate has the franchise sitting dead last in the NHL standings.
Davidson tried to improve the team by adding veterans during the offseason, including Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen, and Alec Martinez, but none of them have played up to the expectations nor elevated the team’s production significantly.
Instead of trying to make ancillary moves to improve the roster, The Athletic’s Scott Powers believes the Blackhawks should go big-time hunting.
In a column published in The Athletic on Jan. 2, Powers pointed toward the franchise’s potential pursuit of an elite linemate for franchise cornerstone Connor Bedard if they want to make a jump up the standings.
“This could finally be the offseason Davidson makes a splash in free agency,” Powers wrote.
