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Kyle Davidson officially unveils Blackhawks' trade plans moving forward

Published December 23, 2023 at 2:28 PM
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Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson has hinted at a quieter approach to the trade market this winter, signaling a departure from the team's active involvement in the past two years.

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In 2022, Davidson orchestrated significant trades, including dealing Brandon Hagel and finding a new destination for Marc-Andre Fleury. This year, the blockbuster move involved trading Patrick Kane and forward Max Domi.

Davidson acknowledges the team's wealth of assets but emphasizes a strategic mindset, suggesting that the Blackhawks may not engage in numerous trades, even smaller ones, in the coming months. The focus is on maintaining a competitive team while considering the potential retention of key players for the following year.


"We have a wealth of assets," Davidson stated, "That puts us in a position that we don't need to go and trade guys just to build up our base [of draft picks and prospects]."

While remaining open to possibilities, Davidson emphasizes the importance of evaluating the team's current composition and identifying players worth retaining. This represents a shift from previous years, when the team might have considered moving certain players.

Reflecting on the financial aspect, Davidson notes the challenges of managing money in the league, highlighting the importance of judicious spending on players, whether from internal sources or external options.

«The one thing we've found in this league is it's a lot easier to spend money than it is to get rid of money,» he said. «[Considering] the number of options that came up this [past] summer at the draft, it doesn't seem like getting to the floor will be a big issue for us. It's [about] finding the right people to spend money on, whether internally or externally.»

As the trade deadline approaches on March 8, the Blackhawks' approach this year appears to be a careful balancing act between present competitiveness and future considerations.

Source: Chicago Suntimes - Blackhawks plans officially revealed
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