Davidson wanted to go a team that was willing to give him a chance to establish himself again in the NHL. His journey has taken him to Chicago, where he signed a one-yeardeal on Thursday after a Training Camp PTO.
The 27-year-old has had an under-the-radar career, but those who have watched him develop and fight through some lows know he belongs in the NHL.
Davidson's mentally and physically challenging battle with cancer in his first professional season tested his resolve and dedication to the sport. Upon returning, he won the Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award as the American Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship determination and dedication to hockey. He conquered the disease and the uphill climb that comes with it.
After that, no challenge was too big - and he'd have more to come.
Davidson continued to prove himself in the AHL, developing a steady presence on the blueline in 2013-14. In 2014-15, he earned 12 games of NHL action for the Edmonton Oilers.
As his development curve continued upward, Davidson proved himself at the highest level of competition and became a full-time NHL defenseman. In 2015-16, Davidson skated in 51 games for the Oilers. Later in the season, Davidson took on an even bigger role on the team and often played 22 minutes a night - and sometimes more.
In 2016-17, Davidson continued to showcase his steady play when called upon for an Oilers team on the brink of ending a long playoff drought. His skill set made him a valuable trade chip at the deadline, and so the Oilers moved him to Montreal in exchange for a depth center they needed to fill out their forward lineup.
It was just another challenge for Davidson, who was leaving his home province and the only NHL system he knew. He returned to the Canadiens in 2017-18, but they chose to place him on waivers after his play and confidence dipped. The Oilers missed his contributions enough that they claimed their former player off waivers on December 2, 2017. He once again raised his level of play and began contributing for Edmonton.
Now sellers at the deadline, with playoffs out of sight, Edmonton once again recognized the value of Davidson as a trade asset and moved him to the New York Islanders for a third-round pick.