Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson delivers take on players earning roster spots

By Ankit Kumar

Modified Jul 23, 2024 21:55 GMT

Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson made it clear that players need to prove themselves to earn roster spots. The Blackhawks shared Davidson's statement in a post on X (formerly Twitter),

“It’s up to the players to show up and make sure that they put their name on a roster spot,” Davidson said. “Whether they're a rookie, young in their career, or a veteran… everyone's got to come in and make the team and show that they've got what it takes to help push this thing forward.”

This statement follows an active offseason for the Blackhawks, who signed eight free agents and acquired two players via trade. With these changes, the team is exploring various line combinations.

Goaltending is settled with Petr Mrazek as the top choice and Laurent Brossoit as his backup The defense looks clear with Alex Vlasic and Seth Jones, Kevin Korchinski and Connor Murphy, and Alec Martinez with T.J. Brodie. Forwards, however, present more uncertainty.

The NHL's projection for the Blackhawks' lineup includes Tyler Bertuzzi, Connor Bedard, and Philipp Kurashev on the top line, followed by Taylor Hall, Jason Dickinson, and Teuvo Teravainen on the second line. The third line could feature Nick Foligno, Andreas Athanasiou, and Ilya Mikheyev, with Pat Maroon, Ryan Donato, and Craig Smith on the fourth line.

However, alternatives are possible. For instance, Lukas Reichel could replace Foligno on the third line if he continues his strong performance from the end of last season.

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Chicago Blackhawks signed defenseman Artyom Levshunov, second overall in the 2024 NHL

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed defenseman Artyom Levshunov to a three-year entry-level contract through the 2026-27 season. Levshunov, chosen second overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, will have a $975,000 salary cap hit.

General Manager Kyle Davidson described Levshunov as a strong two-way defenseman with the potential to be a top NHL player.

"Signing Artyom gives us the opportunity to continue his development in house and take the next step into professional hockey,” Kyle Davidson said. “He’s a strong two-way defenseman that has all the tools to be a high-end player in the NHL and we’re excited to continue his growth at the pro level."

At 18, Levshunov had a standout season with Michigan State University, scoring 35 points (9 goals, 26 assists) in 38 games. He also helped Belarus win gold at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship Division 1. Levshunov is the highest-selected Belarusian in NHL Draft history.