In a wide-ranging interview with The Athletic’s Scott Powers, Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson discussed the team’s offseason plans, draft strategy, and excitement surrounding the franchise’s younger players.
With the third pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, Davidson didn’t name any specific players the team is targeting, unwilling to tip his hand. He did, however, discuss the team’s decision not to participate in the tradition of taking draft prospects to dinner, noting that those types of events do not provide the team with much information.
“We didn’t do any dinners this year. It was much more doing it in the room. I think it’s probably born out of, we don’t learn anything. We haven’t learned much new in those interviews in the past. … It’s funny because there’s no place to hide here either, right? There’s only so many (restaurant) options, and everyone’s bopping around to the same spot. I don’t know if I’ve ever really drawn any connection between dinners to list/ranking or anything like that,” he said.
Davidson added that the team is prepared to take the best player available with the third pick. While Davidson avoided names, Powers believes the Blackhawks are likely considering Anton Frondell or Caleb Desnoyers, unless Michael Misa slips to three.
While Davidson was cautious to provide details on the draft, he did open up more about what the team may look to do in free agency. With a potential generational talent like Connor Bedard, Davidson understands that the fanbase expects significant additions to support the team’s young core. With that said, Davidson believes that big moves cannot be made without strategy.
“Look, we’re always open to exploring these things, but it’s got to be right. It’s got to make sense. We can’t do something that’s going to be counter to the path that we’ve set out on. If there is a big move that presents itself, that makes sense, then I’m all for exploring that and pursuing something that does make sense. But to say we’re going to do something just to say we did something, and then it doesn’t make sense with where we’re at or where we’re going, then I don’t think we can do that. That would be irresponsible,” he said.
Davidson acknowledged that the team would be willing to trade draft capital to acquire the right NHL player. However, he cautioned that quality NHL players may be harder to come by. With the salary cap rising, Davidson noted that teams have a better chance of retaining their own players. He said, “Normally, the No. 1 motivator of movement is salary-cap constraint, and a lot of teams have been relieved of that this year.”