Kyle Davidson's extension signals that it is time to start winning

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed general manager Kyle Davidson to a multiyear contract extension, signaling that the 37-year-old will have the opportunity to see his rebuild through to its conclusion. 

Though no one expected Davidson to be let go from his position (by all reports, he and the Blackhawks ownership have a good relationship), it may be shocking to some that the organization would reward him with this much job security after five unspectacular seasons. 

Since Davidson took over as interim general manager in October of 2021, the team has finished at the bottom of the Central Division four times, while it came in second-to-last the other season. Furthermore, the Blackhawks have ended the past three seasons in 31st place in the league standings. Under Davidson’s watch, the team hasn’t had a stable head coach, either – Jeremy Colliton, Derek King, Luke Richardson, Anders Sorensen, and Jeff Blashill have all served as either interim or full-time head coach over the past five years.

That being said, Davidson cannot shoulder all the blame for the Blackhawks’ poor performance and tumultuous coaching history. When he was hired, he was given the green light to commence a massive rebuild – ownership gave him approval to tank, acquire draft picks, and infuse the prospect pool with elite young talent, something the team hadn’t had for years. 

Whether you agree with the strategy or not, Davidson executed it to perfection. In the past four drafts, he made 11 first-round picks, including Connor Bedard, Anton Frondell, Frank Nazar, and Artyom Levshunov. 

Davidson also proved that he can find talent beyond the first round – Nick Lardis and Ryan Greene were key contributors to this year’s team after they were selected in the third and second rounds, respectively. And we cannot forget about Roman Kantserov, the 44th pick in the 2023 Draft, who just led the KHL in goal scoring at 21 and will likely play in Chicago’s top-six this fall.

It took time, but Davidson’s roster is finally taking shape.

In the season finale against San Jose, five of those 11 first-rounders were in the lineup, even with Levshunov and Oliver Moore sidelined with injuries. Bedard, Frondell, and Nazar could provide the Blackhawks with a top-three center group in the league in short order; the system is overflowing with young defensemen, and Spencer Knight looks like he could be the team’s number one goalie for the next 10-plus years. 

This is the team Davidson envisioned back in 2021, but now he needs results. As mentioned previously, ownership still wholeheartedly believes in the future Davidson sold them, but it won’t take long for that relationship to sour. Over the coming years, if the young stars don’t progress as they should, if Davidson can’t surround them with elite talent acquired via free agency or (more likely) trades, and if the Blackhawks are not in the playoffs come 2027-2028, this multiyear extension could be short-lived.

Fans and ownership have been patient with Davidson, and rightfully so – rebuilds take time. But this extension means that it’s time to turn the corner and become a legit Stanley Cup contender. 

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