Patrick Kane signing completes successful offseason for Kyle Davidson

The biggest story of the year for this Blackhawks team is the Patrick Kane reunion. Kane signed with Chicago for two years at $16 million this past week. Unsurprisingly, this has caused an explosion of excitement with this fanbase as the most beloved player in the history of the franchise returns to his true home.

One man who deserves his flowers for making this happen is general manager Kyle Davidson. Many in the Blackhawks fandom, myself included, have had their doubts regarding Davidson's plan over the course of this rebuild. This offseason has especially raised plenty of question marks surrounding his vision. With that said, the summer's finished product has this team looking far better now than they had been upon conclusion of last season.

Davidson has upgraded this Blackhawks team

When looking back on the overall picture of how this offseason has played out for Davidson and the Blackhawks, there is no doubt this should be a better hockey team next season. Davidson was able to bring in core players to both the forward and defensive cores without sacrificing too much to do so.

Of course, the Bowen Byram trade involved its fair share of sacrifice. Giving up the fourth overall pick is no joke. However, the second-rounder and Louis Crevier were expendable assets. And based on how many top picks this team has already made throughout Davidson's tenure, this is a price he was willing to pay in order to upgrade a blueline that needed it. In Byram, the Blackhawks believe they are getting a defenseman with elite No. 1 potential. This team did not have a true top-pair guy last year. They did not have that minute-munching blueliner who can quarterback the power play and amass production from the back-end. If Byram hits his potential, Chicago should have that coveted top defenseman they have been looking for.

The benefits of Kane speak for themselves. The Blackhawks pick up the top remaining UFA on the free agent market. They did not have to give up any assets as they would have in a trade. Kane will be huge for this team on and off the ice. He plugs that top-six forward hole and could be that ideal linemate for Connor Bedard. He provides valuable championship experience and leadership to a youth team that needs it. And he injects energy into a fanbase that needed it.

This team also adds a few solid depth options in free agency that could be useful. Cole Smith and Jordan Greenway should add some grit/sandpaper to the bottom six on offense. Ian Cole is a solid veteran for the young defenseman, such as Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel, to lean on.

In terms of additions, all this does not even take into account Roman Kantserov. Kantserov is one of the top prospects in the organization and could be an x-factor in the forward core. Everyone talks about the impact Kane will have on Bedard. The impact he can have on the remaining young core players, particularly Kantserov, is also enticing.

The Blackhawks bring all this into the fold and part with very little to do so. In terms of player subtractions, that list is as follows: Andre Burakovsky, Crevier, Matt Grzelcyk, Sam Lafferty, Ilya Mikheyev. That's it. Sure, there are a couple tough losses there. But when you compare it to the list of players that the team brought in, it's not even close. Next year's lineup, especially when Bedard comes back, will be significantly better.

Overall, it is fair to call this a successful offseason for Davidson. Time will tell if the results on the ice will be enough to get this team into that vaunted playoff conversation. That is up for debate, but there is no question they have gotten closer to reaching that goal. Count that as a productive summer for this team.

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