DRAFT: Davidson Knows Franchise-Changing Impact of No.1 Overall Pick

Leading up to the NHL Draft Lottery, Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson memorized the order of the lottery odds for all 16 teams in Monday night's drawing, and watched as NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly revealed all the teams in order up until the third overall pick.
The Columbus Blue Jackets, projected at No. 2 overall entering the night, were announced as the team picking third overall -- the first indication Chicago had moved up in the draft order. Daly then flipped the card over to reveal the winning team selecting No. 1 overall.
"When that No. 1 card flipped over and it was our logo, it hits you all at once," Davidson said.

"You understand the impact that a first overall pick can have and having the first overall pick in the right year and, hopefully, that's what we've got here," Davidson added. "It can change a franchise, it can change the city, and it can change an era in a team's history. So, there's a lot of weight to that, and a lot of significance to that."
Assuming Davidson does in fact make the franchise-changing pick at No. 1 on June 28, it will mark the second time in franchise history that the Blackhawks will pick first in the NHL Draft. The last time that happened was back in 2007 where the team selected Patrick Kane, who captured three Stanley Cups, the Calder Trophy (2008), a Conn Smythe Trophy (2013), the Art Ross Trophy (2016) and the Hart Memorial Trophy (2016) in a future-Hall-of-Fame career.
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Throughout the day, Davidson didn't know what to expect heading into Monday's draft lottery and tried to keep his expectations low. With Chicago entering the day at No. 3, and odds more likely that the Blackhawks would actuall fall to No. 4 or No. 5, the moment still didn't feel real to him when he saw Daly show the Blackhawks logo as the draft lottery winner.
"I was just happy that we got that far because I've been, for weeks now, just kind of mentally preparing for four or five just because that's what the odds sort of said what was going to happen," Davidson said. "I prepared for that, but hoped for the best and things broke our way."

With the first overall pick, the Blackhawks will be able to control the draft board with some of the top-rated prospects in this year's draft class.
Some of the top-ranked players include Connor Bedard, who recorded 143 points (71G, 72A) through 57 games, and this year's Hobey Baker Award winner center Adam Fantilli from the University of Michigan, who scored 65 points (30G, 35A) in 36 games.
"I think this is a strong year," Davidson said. "I think it's well documented that this is a pretty special draft, and we're going to be able to pick at the top of it, and we're going to be able to pick who we want. And we don't have to wait for anyone else to dictate our fortunes, so it's exciting."

For Davidson, this pick is just the first piece of the puzzle for Chicago as they continue to go through a rebuild process.
Although they will have the chance to pick one of the best prospects available, that doesn't always guarantee the quickest way through a rebuild. This is add to the process of building a team that is well-balanced without focusing on a single player.
"That doesn't change the fact that we have to build a team," Davidson said. "You look back at any Stanley Cup team, they have great players, but it's not just one person that wins it. You need many great pieces and many important pieces and players that gelled together and can play within a team concept. And so, that work is going to continue."
As Davidson and the rest of the Blackhawks scouting staff prepare to head into the 2023 NHL Draft on June 28, they will look for the best players to help them become a winning franchise once again with their 11 picks total through seven rounds.
"So, it's just going take as long as it takes, but we're committed to doing it right by building a team the right way and you need great players to do that," Davidson said. "I feel we have a great opportunity to add a great player with this pick."