Bruins' Nikita Zadorov Publicly Slams Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson Over Failed Rebuild
Established NHL defenseman, Nikita Zadarov took a shot at GM Kyle Davidson and the Chicago Blackhawks rebuild plans.
GM Kyle Davidson made a huge decision in 2023 to select Connor Bedard as the 1st overall pick.
Since then, Bedard's won a Calder Trophy in 2024 and began the season in a slump due to Luke Richardson's failed direction as a Coach.
The Blackhawks had a shot to acquire Ivan Demidov during the 1st-round of the 2024 NHL draft.
Instead, Davidson opted to draft Artyom Levshunov, passing on Demidov who is on a tear in the KHL at the moment. GM Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens would draft him instead.
Zadarov thinks GM Kyle Davidson made a huge mistake passing on Demidov.
"If I were Chicago, I would have taken him. When you have a player with such natural talent and hockey IQ, in my opinion, you grab that, and the rest will work itself out. You can teach defense, and he's shown a willingness to improve that part of his game."
Demidov was drafted 5th overall by the Canadiens and has scored 37 points in 47 games with the KHL's SKA St. Petersburg Hockey Club.
He's scored 16 goals this season and has not shown a sign of stopping yet.
When you compare both prospects, it's unclear know who truly won the 2024 draft, as Artyom Levshunov has already made it to the AHL.
The Canadiens will have to wait longer for Ivan Demidov to sign his first entry-level contract. Then we'll know who is the better prospect.
So, while Zadarov could be correct about Demidov being a better prospect, we don't know how he'll perform in the NHL yet.
