Chicago Blackhawks make decision on GM Kyle Davidson’s future

The Chicago Blackhawks will finish their season on Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks, but the future of general manager Kyle Davidson was decided before the contest.

The Blackhawks entered the game with a 28-39-14 overall record. Chicago’s 70 points are the second worst in the league. It will be the fourth year in a row the team has finished eighth in the Central Division.

The Blackhawks took off the interim tag and named Davidson the full-time general manager in March of 2022. He has not helped the Blackhawks make the playoffs since navigating a lengthy rebuild. Chicago’s last postseason appearance was in 2020.

On Wednesday, Blackhawks chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz revealed on CHSN that Davidson was extended before the offseason. Chicago believes Davidson is building the best talent pipeline in the league.

“Kyle’s in everything we’ve expected when he got the job,” Wirtz said. “His first task was to rebuild our prospect pool–if you remember, and you were all there, our cupboard was pretty bare. We didn’t have a lot coming in. And he very systematically and very confidently rebuilt that to where I truly believe right now we have the best prospect pool in the NHL.

“Many of those prospects are now actual NHL players, contributing, and, you know, highly impactful on our team. And then, of course, you know, I think we have a really nice visibility to a pipeline of players that will continue to join the Blackhawks over the coming years.”