FEATURE: Davidson, Doneghey Ready for Unexpected Heading into Second Year

As they continue their work towards the 2023 NHL Draft, Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson and Director of Amateur Scouting Mike Doneghey enter their second year together.

When Davidson first started in his new role, he didn't know what to expect from the new group going into their first draft together. With some help from Doneghey and the staff, they were able to set a new vision for the franchise and select strong players to fit the new expectations.

"I really relied on the staff and relied on their knowledge of players, their understanding of what we were looking for, and what I wanted to come out of the draft with," Davidson said. "So, I think that just emphasized the great group that we do have and that they're all on board with what we're trying to build here."

Shortly after being named the team's general manager in March 2022, he promoted Doneghey to help lead the amateur scouting team going into the draft. After they started their first season with a lot of unknowns, the two worked together to figure out what would work best for them and the new team that they built.

Looking back on their first season together, Davidson noticed the growth of their relationship with the way they can be honest in their communication with each other. They learned what they wanted to emphasize to their staff to build a strong draft process.

"Last year was kind of feeling our way through the process," Davidson said. "But then this year, it's much more fine-tuned in making sure we emphasize what's very useful to making good decisions and kind of getting rid of things that we think may not have been a distraction, but maybe not as valuable in the overall draft process."

In their first draft last year, Davidson, Doneghey and the team entered the first round with zero picks. However, after making some trades within the first day, they acquired three picks that landed Kevin Korchinski (7th overall), Frank Nazar (13th overall) and Sam Rinzel (25th overall).

Following the major announcements, this put the team in a new position in the first round, but it also gave the staff an insight that anything can happen on the draft floor.

"Last year, we went into the day of the first round not having any first round picks and we got to the draft having three, so I think it just emphasize the uncertainty that you have to be prepared for anything," Davidson said.

As they continue to prep going into this year's draft in Nashville, things will look a different on the draft board for the Blackhawks. Chicago enters the 2023 draft board with the No. 1 overall selection along with five more picks between the first and second rounds.

Despite having different scenarios entering both drafts, Davidson and Doneghey still want to treat the two situations with the same idea - always come prepared for the unexpected.

"We just emphasize to the whole staff that we've got to be prepared for anything," Davidson said. "Who knows how the draft is going to break and how things are going to go. You have to know the players from number one to 200 equally and you have to know everyone very well to make the best decisions."

After the two set the new standard for their staff, Davidson noticed how his team stepped up to the challenge and grew within their roles throughout the season. As they look towards the first day of draft on June 28, he knows he can continue to put his trust in the team to continue to look for the best outcome for the organization.

"We all want to find players that are going to be huge parts of the next year of Blackhawks hockey, and I appreciate that about them," Davidson said. "It's allowed me to just reinforce the trust that I had in them going into last year's draft, and only built that trust and knowing that that they're going to do what's best for the Chicago Blackhawks."