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Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson reveals current rebuild plan and addresses a timeline

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Sam Walker
December 24, 2025 (8:48 PM)

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Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said patience is still the name of the game, and his rebuild remains firmly rooted in youth and draft development as the Hawks try to climb out of the NHL's basement. The long rebuild he began years ago through drafting.

On Tuesday, we recently addressed if Kyle Davidson should be on the hot seat in Chicago or not

«Just feels like more and more you have to do it yourself,» Davidson said, «That's always been our philosophy. That was going to be the bedrock of how we build this thing.»

The Hawks' strategy hasn't shifted even with the NHL's salary cap dynamics squeezing trade and free-agent options, and Davidson said,

«It just doesn't feel like there's going to be the ability to trade or sign your way into contention.» He added that he's «glad we did what we did . . . The depth and strength of our prospect pool is going to serve us very well in this environment.»

Davidson believes the Hawks still have plenty of prospects who could shape the future, and that this chapter of the rebuild isn't about quick fixes. He noted the team has multiple prospects ready to contribute, saying,

«We're going to continue to prioritize youth and hand things over to the young players and let them run with it and show us where they're at.»

The Blackhawks' roster features a mix of teenagers and early-20s players, including Artyom Levshunov and Frank Nazar, and Davidson stressed seeing those players perform in real NHL minutes is part of how the organization will gauge its next moves.

Kyle Davidson still trusts youth first for Blackhawks' rebuild plan

There's progress, but not without growing pains, and Davidson made it clear that he still wants the young core to dictate future decisions rather than outside veteran hires.

«We'll determine where the team is at then and determine what we need to do to assist or augment,» he said.

Davidson explained that watching prospects develop also reveals how the Blackhawks should build around them, calling this window of evaluation

«now and next year,» as the team learns «how good they can get to be.»

Not every prospect will succeed, and Davidson acknowledged that reality, saying,

«Some guys are going to overshoot where they're on track for right now, and then there's naturally going to be players that just don't reach that.»

His message was clear: the rebuild still leans on patience and internal growth, even if the fan base wants faster results. How well this group takes shape over the next seasons will shape Chicago's next big moves.

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

Chicago Blackhawks' A.J. Spellacy Makes Team USA World Juniors Roster

Chicago Blackhawks organization undergoes $30M in high-tech renovations for AHL's IceHogs team

Blackhawks can take note of these 3 key factors in their 3-1 loss vs. Flyers Tuesday

POLL
DECEMBRE 24 \| 59 ANSWERS Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson reveals current rebuild plan and addresses a timeline Do you support Davidson's youth-first rebuild strategy?
▢ Yes youth first
▢ Trade for vets
▢ Mix youth vets
▢ Unsure yet

Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson reveals current rebuild plan and addresses a timeline

Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said patience is still the name of the game, and his rebuild remains firmly rooted in youth and draft development as the Hawks try to climb out of the NHL's basement. The long rebuild he began years ago through drafting.

Kyle Davidson still trusts youth first for Blackhawks' rebuild plan

Do you support Davidson's youth-first rebuild strategy?