Kyle Davidson says the Chicago Blackhawks are still active in the NHL trade market, pointing to assets they can offer while targeting a top-six wing and possibly reshaping their defense. As draft-related activity accelerates, the Hawks also set qualifying-offe
Kyle Davidson didn’t slow down when asked Saturday if the Blackhawks are still looking to swing a deal this season.
“We’re definitely looking to make some stuff happen,” the general manager said.
He followed with the familiar guardrails that any trade has to work for everyone involved — realistically for three sides in many cases. considering how many players hold no-trade clauses nowadays. Still. if selling teams are willing to accept packages built around picks and prospects. the Hawks believe they have plenty of those assets to put on the table.
Davidson’s pitch to the trade market has a clear target. The roster’s biggest hole remains a top-six wing. He doesn’t frame it the same way some fans do — as an absolute must-have — but he still understands where the need sits.
And the player at the center of the market conversation remains Dallas Stars star Jason Robertson. Davidson said Robertson is still available, even though it’s unclear where exactly Robertson is willing to sign a long-term contract.
If the Hawks widen their scope, Davidson also floated a more specific positional fix: adding a right-handed defenseman to fill Louis Crevier’s vacated spot.
“We’re going to see what’s there,” Davidson said. “You’re never really satisfied until either the options run out or you’ve made a move and…satisfied everything. If we rolled this [defensive] group into the season, we’d be fine. But we’re still going to look at what’s available to us.”
He’s not treating the question as a single yes-or-no. It’s a decision that keeps moving as opportunities present themselves.
The draft groundwork is already in place. Davidson’s 2026 draft class was the smallest of his tenure by a considerable margin, but he’s set for another large class in 2027. He already owns 11 picks in it — including three picks in the first round and seven in the first three rounds.
One of those 2027 picks, a sixth-rounder, arrived Friday in the trade that sent Andre Burakovsky to the Senators. Davidson explained why that deal fit.
“With the emergence of some of your young players, and [with] Roman Kantserov coming over, [I] felt like there was a more difficult road to a meaningful role for Andre,” Davidson said.
The Hawks’ near-term obligations also start to stack up. The deadline for qualifying offers to restricted free agents to retain their rights is Monday afternoon. The Hawks will likely qualify their three notable RFAs: Kevin Korchinski, Ethan Del Mastro and Drew Commesso.
On the prospect-development side, Hawks development camp begins Monday with 19 prospects in attendance. That group includes four of the five new draft picks — everyone except Alexander Ivanov.
Other camp attendees include Sacha Boisvert, AJ Spellacy and Marek Vanacker, three forwards who will be playing pro hockey in Chicago or Rockford next season. The camp will also feature 2025 first-round picks Vaclav Nestrasil and Mason West.
Camp’s format shifts too. On-ice sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. That’s a departure from the entirely off-ice camps of the last two years. Davidson said the Hawks want to use the on-ice time to gather information on each player’s skating and other skills. aiming to build more holistic development plans and training advice.
For a weekend filled with evaluations, even the answers had a bit of personality. Hawks scouting director Mike Doneghey delivered what he called “the best quote of draft weekend” when asked about second-round pick Ryan Roobroeck’s comparison of himself to Leon Draisaitl and Mikko Rantanen.
“I’m like Brad Pitt,” Doneghey said to a chorus of laughter.
Doneghey then described how he changes the conversation with prospects. “I’ve altered the question when I talk to [prospects],” he said. “I say, ‘Who would you buy a ticket to watch play?’ versus ‘Who do you think you play like?’”
The through line from trades to qualifying offers to development camp is simple: the Hawks aren’t waiting for the season to force them into decisions. They’re trying to shape what comes next. with assets available now. draft capital stacked ahead. and the next round of assessments beginning on the ice as the calendar turns.
Chicago Blackhawks Kyle Davidson NHL trade market Jason Robertson top-six wing Louis Crevier Andre Burakovsky Roman Kantserov qualifying offers Kevin Korchinski Ethan Del Mastro Drew Commesso development camp Ryan Roobroeck Mike Doneghey
Trade talk again? Guess they’ll just keep saying “looking” all season.
Jason Robertson is still available?? I swear every team says that until it’s like nah he’s not going anywhere. Also “right-handed defenseman” sounds like another band-aid to me.
Louis Crevier vacated spot… wait who even is that? I thought they already had like 3 righties on defense. Robertson probably just wants more money from Dallas and Chicago will offer nothing but prospects (which is fair but still).
Kyle Davidson keeps “pressure” on the trade market but I don’t get why they’re not just signing someone. Like if Robertson is available, wouldn’t they already have him? Maybe he’s not available only because of that no-trade clause thing but who cares, money solves everything. Hawks fans should be more patient or whatever… I dunno.