The young Blackhawks won't be gifted spots on the team next season, but rather prove they deserve them so neither the players or team are harmed.
Kyle Davidson, general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks, wanted to create an environment where his team wins more than the past two seasons "and the young players can come up and elevate that when they are ready."
That didn't happen in 2023-24. So Davidson loaded up on veteran free agents on July 1.
Already a thin team, Chicago was decimated by injuries last season. Prospects were called up before they were ready because the Blackhawks needed bodies. The result was a 23-53-6 record, 31st place finish and some kids who were in the NHL too quickly.
Davidson wanted the veteran pieces in place and in the organization this year because the league is really tough for young players. He would rather follow the strategy the Dallas Stars executed to perfection by really waiting until the top prospects can come in and elevate the team "rather than put them in and hope it works out throughout the year."
The Blackhawks' GM also noted that "it could work for two weeks, a month, like we saw with Wyatt (top defenseman prospect Kaiser) last year. Good out of the gates..." He alluded to the struggles after that and why Kaiser then spent time in the AHL.
Young players are eligible to be brought up and sent down at will for a few years at the beginning of their professional careers for a reason. Sometimes what's best for the players and what allows them to thrive is time in larger roles against weaker competition until they develop more and gain more confidence in their abilities or until there is room.
Kids Won't Rot in the AHL
Davidson said that "I don't see anyone being blocked, especially to the point of development being hindered here. If players are ready, especially young players are ready and they're ready to come in and elevate the group more so than a player that's in a spot, then we'll make the decision on how to best find a role for them."
The problem Davidson noted with what happened last season was that spots in the lineup were set for young players and not everyone thrived or were ready for those roles at that time.
There isn't a question whether more veteran players are ready for those roles because that's why they were brought in. Each has shown the ability to play in certain roles and succeed, whereas the young players are still learning and are unproven.
When some young players weren't ready, the problem couldn't be fixed because veterans weren't acquired in the first place as a safety net. The Blackhawks are going to be better one way or another from how Davidson learned from last season.
Chicago now has more than enough experienced players with many years in the NHL under their belts. If players like Frank Nazar, Landon Slaggert, Cole Guttman, Kaiser, or anyone else steps up and forces the hand of Chicago management, that's will be a good thing.
A lot of young Blackhawks have had a taste of NHL action and none of them are going to be overdeveloped in the AHL this season. They could prove themselves in training camp or at a point in the season, but the Blackhawks have options and have a good managerial mindset moving forward with so many prospects with potential and on the way.
