How Successful of a GM is the Blackhawks Kyle Davidson?
Kyle Davidson took over the GM position after Stan Bowman was unceremoniously ushered out. He has been in charge for three-draft classes now and thanks to his effort in making trades, has made 30 draft picks across the 2022, 2023, and 2024 drafts.
The goal isn't to load up on draft picks, like hockey cards but to draft and develop talent with purpose.
This is in the hopes they make it to the NHL and turn the Blackhawks back into a contending team.
How many of Kyle's draft picks have signed with the Blackhawks?
The Blackhawks made 11 selections in 2022. Five of them have signed their entry-level contracts.
1 - 7 - Kevin Korchinski - Signed
1 - 13 - Frank Nazar III - Signed
1 - 25 - Sam Rinzel
2 - 39 - Paul Ludwinski - Signed
2 - 57 - Ryan Greene
3 - 66 - Gavin Hayes - Signed
3 - 81 - Samuel Savoie - Signed
3 - 90 - Aidan Thompson
6 - 173 - Dominic James
6 - 188 - Nils Juntorp
7 - 199 - Riku Tohila
The Blackhawks made 11 selections in 2023. Three of them have signed their entry-level contracts.
1 - 1 - Connor Bedard - Signed
1 - 19 - Oliver Moore
2 - 35 - Adam Gajan
2 - 44 - Roman Kantserov
2 - 55 - Martin Misiak - Signed
3 - 67 - Nick Lardis - Signed
3 - 93 - Jiri Felcman
4 - 99 - Alex Pharand
5 - 131 - Marcel Marcel* (AHL contract)
6 - 167 - Milton Oscarson
7 - 195 - Janne Peltonen
The Blackhawks made eight selections in 2024. Two of them have signed their entry-level contracts.
1 - 2 - Artyom Levshunov - Signed
1 - 18 - Sacha Boisvert
1 - 27 - Marek Vanacker - Signed
3 - 67 - John Mustard
3 - 72 - AJ Spellacy
3 - 92 - Jack Pridham
5 - 138 - Joel Svensson
6 - 163 - Ty Henry
He has signed a third of his 30 draft picks, 10 of 30, and all the top picks by the Blackhawks. This isn't a bad philosophy but it's obvious his strategic outlook is long-term development, but you have to wonder about the other 20 prospects and how they will come into play in the Blackhawks system, or will many of them will ever turn pro?
We should see the result of these drafts in the future, as Davidson will be able to bring more into the NHL or AHL while monitoring the rest of the unsigned player's progress.
If the Blackhawks are to be a successful team, like the 2020 Tampa Bay Lightning, who built their the draft, development is paramount.
| POLL | ||
Has Kyle Davidson been a successful GM? | ||
| Yes | 48 | 67.6 % |
| No | 23 | 32.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
