Column: On Kyle Davidson, Right Now, & Timelines

Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson has to strike the right balance when it comes to the length of a rebuild.

It harkens back to the classic song Right Now from one of my favorite bands, Van Halen. Davidson’s rebuild could be seen as walking a timeline tightrope, and surmises in what Sammy Hagar sang:

Miss the beat, you lose the rhythm, and nothing falls into place.
Only miss by a fraction, slipped a little off your pace

It’s precisely the balance Davidson brings to the job and said as much–without saying it–on Saturday when he met with the media.

Davidson Will Do What’s Necessary At the Right Pace

Every rebuild looks different and the simplest way to do it is to get that generational player and build around him. But even that presents its own challenges, and doesn’t always guarantee a Stanley Cup at the end. Edmonton is still figuring it out. Toronto finally got out of the first round last year only to be beaten soundly by another organization that built in an entirely different fashion.

So Davidson’s consistent message of calm without being too coy or sharing too much strikes the right chord. He didn’t tip his hand either way with how the Blackhawks will handle the trade deadline, indicating that they might not be as active as they were last year.

“We have to listen to everything, consider everything,” Davidson said. “I think based on where we’re at, it’ll probably be a little less busy this time around.”

Which why should they be? The Blackhawks are flush with talent in the pipeline and with draft picks. Dealing a Jason Dickinson for draft picks, wouldn’t seem to yield much in the way of help that would be sooner rather than later.

It’s not as if he hasn’t been scouting or watching players either–he has been. He admitted he enjoys that aspect of the job, too. But heading into this offseason, the Blackhawks have to nudge a bit forward not only this season, but also through next season.

But harkening back to that Van Halen ditty, this is where the challenge lies. His first few picks in the 2022 Draft look like unbelievable wins right now. Kevin Korchinski is shaping up to be a cornerstone defenseman while Frank Nazar has been terrific for both the University of Michigan and Team USA. Davidson spoke to how well Sam Rinzel and Oliver Moore progressed as the World Juniors went on. He commended both Gavin Hayes and Nick Lardis on how well they’ve played.

But as fans and pundits know all too well, the NHL is a different beast. And while Davidson is encouraged by their play, he knows the truth of the matter.

“It only matters if they get to the NHL and deliver here,” Davidson said. “We’re going to keep working with them, but the early returns are very positive.”

So What Is the Best Route For Kyle Davidson and the Blackhawks?

Simply put, patience. Look, this season is what was expected as another full out rebuild. But it’s finding those players on the roster now who can factor in later. It won’t be a large quantity of them, but Nick Foligno signing his two-year extension will reinforce the foundation’s strength. It also takes pressure off throwing a C on Connor Bedard’s sweater too soon.

Dickinson would be another wise investment–a tenacious player who says the right things and has been terrific on the ice. But there’s help on the way and then it’s maybe using some of that draft stock surplus or prospects who may not factor into the long term plans to find the right players who will.

Timelines are a funny thing–they can add pressure where there needn’t be any. Davidson is right now to commit to numbers but instead, commit to the process that will bring the Blackhawks sustained, long term success.

And though the team certainly wants that lottery luck again, there’s still importance in winning those games to build for that sustained success someday.

“I obviously want to win a few more,” Davidson said. “And you want that positive result for your players as well–just for that positive reinforcement of what they’re doing and that it is going well. The efforts have been really, really positive.”

Right now, it’s those positives that will lead the Blackhawks back to where they want to be.

At the right pace, of course.