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Kyle Davidson has gone from seller to buyer, and Connor Bedard is happy about it

Connor Bedard weighs in on Bowen Byram trade, as well as Kyle Davidson's shift to "buyer".
ByRyan McGregor|
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Mar 25, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) on the ice before a game against the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Mar 25, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) on the ice before a game against the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The dust has settled on the blockbuster move that sent Chicago Blackhawks fans into a frenzy Thursday evening, but some fans still aren't convinced that this was the right move for Kyle Davidson to make.

In a much needed effort to improve the roster for next season, Davidson sent the fourth overall pick, 45th overall pick, and defenseman Louis Crevier to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Bowen Byram.

A real difference maker

There is no denying Byram makes the Blackhawks better right now. Connor Bedard had this to say on Byram:

“He’s an unreal player, just kind of been behind some good defense, so it’s gonna be fun for him to show he’s the number one. He’s gonna make a huge, huge difference for us.”

Byram has spent his entire career behind an elite defenseman. In Colorado, it was Cale Makar, and in Buffalo, it was Rasmus Dahlin.

Coming to Chicago gives Byram the opportunity he has always wanted - the opportunity to be a number one defenseman. Next season, Byram will play top pair minutes, play on powerplay unit one, and be the guy who gets the puck to Connor Bedard.

Time to build a winning team


Shipping out the fourth overall pick is probably the most clear way to tell fans you are no longer rebuilding, you are trying to get better. And that's exactly what the Blackhawks should be doing.

Kyle Davidson has made 11 first-round picks since 2022; eight of them have played NHL games. Not to mention second and third round picks Ryan Greene and Nick Lardis, who were both important pieces of the team last season.

“We’ve gathered so many assets; eventually you’re gonna make those moves, and that’s obviously a good thing. He (Kyle Davidson) thinks we’re ready to take a step, and we all feel that way, so it’s exciting," Bedard said on the shift from sellers to buyers.

Clearly Davidson believes in this group of young players he has hand selected over the past 4 years, as he should. But now he is tasked with filling in the gaps and giving his guys the help they need to take the next step.

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