Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson: ‘We’re intent on improving the playing roster’
The Chicago Blackhawks have been arguably the biggest disappointment in the NHL this season, and general manager Kyle Davidson knows it.
Their 4-13-1 start has them in 31st place in the NHL standings, and they are one of just two teams that has yet to reach 10 points in the standings. Things bottomed out on Saturday with a 9-2 loss on the road against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes.
With four days off between games, Davidson held a media availability to share an update on his pursuit of moves to improve the team and better position it to bounce back as the season moves along.
“I’ve made it clear around the league that we’re intent on improving the playing roster,” Davidson told reporters, including Ben Pope of The Chicago Sun Times. “This is a precarious time where you don’t want to do something to do something and make a mistake you’ll regret later.”
Davidson was active this summer in adding experienced pieces in a bid to improve a roster that has plenty of young talent but has failed to advance past the non-competitive stage of a rebuild. The Blackhawks paid a hefty price in terms of both trade and contract for Bowen Byram, who has been limited to just six appearances this year with an undisclosed injury.
He also brought back a franchise legend in winger Patrick Kane to provide depth scoring. The 37-year-old three-time Stanley Cup champion has just one goal in 15 games.
Davidson cited poor team defense as one of the reasons for the team’s poor start, and there’s plenty of evidence to back that notion up. According to Natural Stat Trick, Chicago is allowing the third-most expected goals against per 60 minutes during 5-on-5 play at 3.13. Only the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks are allowing more.
In last place in the Central Division, the Blackhawks are nine points back of the next-closest team. If they’re going to make a run to get back into the mix, it has to start soon. Chicago’s next opportunity to turn things around comes Thursday night when the Buffalo Sabres visit the United Center.
