Revisiting Chicago Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson's Moves During the 2023 Trade Deadline

To Colorado: Jack Johnson
To Chicago: Andreas Englund

Davidson did Johnson a solid by dealing him back to Colorado, where he won the Cup the prior spring. The 6’3” defensive-minded Englund played 11 games in Chicago, got into one notable fight with Marcus Foligno, and promptly left town, signing with Los Angeles on July 1.

To Toronto: Jake McCabe (50% retained), Sam Lafferty, 2024 conditional fifth-round pick, 2025 conditional fifth-round pick
To Chicago: Joey Anderson, Pavel Gogolev, 2025 top 10 protected first-round pick, 2026 second-round pick

This was Davidson’s biggest trade in terms of return.

McCabe was solid in his nearly two-year tenure with the Blackhawks. His contract term and relatively low cap number made him a desirable trade target for contenders.

Lafferty revitalized his career in Chicago and endeared himself to fans with his speed and physicality. Joey Anderson fits coach Luke Richardson’s play style and has likely earned himself another contract in Chicago after this season, while Gogolev suited up in just one game for Rockford. It remains to be seen what the first and second-round picks will turn into, but Davidson’s draft history so far has been promising.

To New York Rangers: Patrick Kane, Cooper Zech
To Chicago: Vili Saarijärvi (from Arizona), Andy Welinski, 2023 second-round pick (Martin Misiak), 2025 fourth-round pick

February 28, 2023, was a sad day in Chicago as the team moved on from Patrick Kane. While it was difficult to say goodbye to a three-time Cup champion and a Calder, Conn Smythe, and Hart Trophy winner (among other accolades), it was time, and Kane wanted another run at the Cup.

Saarijärvi never played for the organization, and Welinski played 14 games for Rockford. Misiak has posted 36 points in 47 games for Erie in the OHL this season and represented Slovakia in the past three World Junior Championships.

To Buffalo: Future Considerations
To Chicago: Anders Bjork

A former star at the University of Notre Dame, Bjork needed a change of scenery. He tallied a respectable eight points in 13 games on a depleted Hawks team after his arrival. He has played solely in Rockford this season.

To Anaheim: Dylan Sikura
To Chicago: Maxim Golod

Another prolific NCAA scorer, Sikura was on his second tour of duty in the Blackhawks organization when he was dealt to Anaheim and finished his season with their AHL affiliate. Golod played mostly in the ECHL after this trade and now plies his trade in Europe.

To Dallas: Max Domi, Dylan Wells
To Chicago: Anton Khudobin, 2025 second-round pick

Domi made the most of his top-six opportunity in a Hawks sweater to the tune of 49 points in 60 games. Following his departure from the Windy City, he spotted 13 points in 19 playoff games for Dallas and then followed in his father’s footsteps, signing in Toronto.

Khudobin was a cap dump and surrendered six goals in his only start for the Blackhawks. Davidson did a nice job in this trade, turning a distressed asset in Domi into a quality draft pick.

To Los Angeles: Future Considerations
To Chicago: Austin Wagner

Wagner filled in as a bottom-six stopgap for the post-Trade Deadline Blackhawks, contributing two points in seven games. He now plays in Sweden’s top league, the SHL.

Overall, during a busy two week stretch, Davidson made a number of depth moves, acquired one first and four second-round picks, and pulled the trigger on a painful but necessary Kane trade – a decent bit of work for the young GM. This year’s Deadline he won’t be nearly as active, but Davidson has shown thus far he can be trusted to make rational moves in order to improve the Blackhawks’ future.

Note: trade and contract information for this article were found on capfriendly.com.