Blackhawks GM Misses Practice Amid 9-2 Loss
General Manager Kyle Davidson was absent from Monday's session after the team fell to 4-13-1 and lost 9-2 to the Hurricanes.
By Tessa Cooper ·
Nine points. That is the total haul for the Chicago Blackhawks after 18 games in the 2026-27 NHL season. The team currently sits with the second-fewest points in the league, trailing only one other club. At the current pace, the Hawks are projected to finish with 42 points. That total would mark the lowest point accumulation for a full season since 1953-54, a year when the regular season comprised just 70 games.
The math paints a grim picture for a franchise in the fifth year of its rebuild. The season began with higher expectations after incremental progress the previous year. Those hopes were dashed by a recent 0-3 road trip. The final game of that trip saw the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes defeat Chicago 9-2. The scoreline understates the margin of victory, as the game remained competitive for a longer stretch than the final tally suggests. That loss placed pressure on the organization to address its roster and coaching staff.
General Manager Kyle Davidson was not present for Monday's practice. He had been serving as interim GM since October 2021, following the resignation of Stan Bowman. Bowman stepped down after an investigation into sexual assault allegations against former video coach Brad Aldrich. The Blackhawks made Davidson a permanent GM in March 2022. Since then, Davidson has had full authority to rebuild the roster according to his vision.
Davidson acknowledged the length of the process in 2022. He stated that fixing the team would take time. He noted that whether that period would be three or five years, he did not have a definitive answer. Three years have passed. Five years are now within reach for fans watching a struggling team. Davidson is currently in Toronto for GM meetings. He plans to address the media and fans on Wednesday.
Coach Jeff Blashill led Monday's practice in Davidson's absence. Blashill has been with the Blackhawks since 2023. Before that, he coached the Detroit Red Wings from 2015 to 2022. He is the fourth coach hired by Davidson during the current rebuild. Blashill addressed the disappointing record to reporters. He said the team is grinding to get incrementally better through process. He admitted that promising results is meaningless. The focus is on winning games through improved execution.
Roster moves also occurred on Monday. The team waived backup goalie Arvid Soderblom. They called up Drew Commesso from the American Hockey League. This change comes as the team prepares to host the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday. The Sabres missed the playoffs for 14 consecutive years before qualifying last season. The Blackhawks have never gone that long without a postseason appearance. Davidson's absence from practice leaves questions about the timeline for the rebuild and the stability of the coaching position.
Davidson made several key decisions in the offseason. He acquired defenseman Bowen Byram. He re-signed Patrick Kane. Critics argue he did not add enough veteran depth to support his young prospects. The organization also selected Connor Bedard with the No. 1 overall pick in 2023. They chose Artyom Levshunov at No. 2 in 2024 and Anton Frondell at No. 3 in 2025. Other rebuilding teams are currently outpacing Chicago in the standings. The Hawks must find a way to convert their talent into points before the regular season ends.
