Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson Talks 2024 NHL Draft, Jake Guentzel Rumors, and More
Chicago Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson has been in Buffalo all week interviewing various prospects at the NHL Scouting Combine as the organization gathers its final pieces of information ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft, which takes place in Vegas on June 28-29. The Blackhawks, most notably, hold the No. 2 overall selection and Davidson confirmed it’s unlikely that Chicago will trade the pick.
The pick is expected to come down to skilled offensive forward Ivan Demidov and all-around defenseman Artyom Levshunov. Davidson admitted the Blackhawks aren’t leaning in one particular direction yet and will decide closer to the draft. The Blackhawks also moved up in the first and second rounds through a trade with the New York Islanders, giving them more options on draft day.
Regarding the Jake Guentzel rumors, Davidson did not want to address any speculation but emphasized the team’s cautious approach to utilizing their cap space. While he did not rule out the possibility of adding a higher-profile name via free agency or trade, Davidson stressed the importance of making decisions that align with the team’s long-term financial outlook.
As for the potential reunion with Patrick Kane, Davidson seemed to downplay the idea, citing the team’s previous decisions to move on from longstanding players in order to allow the new core to develop. While Kane’s performance in Detroit was commendable, Davidson indicated that the Blackhawks are unlikely to revisit bringing him back.
While the Blackhawks continue to evaluate their options leading up to the draft and beyond, Davidson emphasized the importance of making decisions that align with the team’s overall goals and vision for both the short and long term. Stay tuned for more updates as the offseason progresses.