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DALLAS \u2014 Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson<\/b> has established a preference for making moves well before the NHL trade deadline, rather than waiting until the last minute.<\/p>\n
He dealt Brandon Hagel<\/b> three days before the 2022 deadline, dealt Patrick Kane <\/b>three days before the 2023 deadline and dealt Seth Jones<\/b> six days before the 2025 deadline.<\/p>\n
All were blockbuster trades with basically only one possible partner, so it seemed logical they would be consummated as soon as they were agreed upon.<\/p>\n
But this year, even when shopping two regular rental players with plenty of suitors, the pattern continued. Davidson again acted quickly, dealing Connor Murphy<\/b> on Monday and Jason Dickinson<\/b> on Wednesday before the deadline Friday.<\/p>\n
Why? He gave an interesting explanation Friday.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018With Murphy and [Dickinson], I wanted to give them an opportunity,\u2019\u2019 Davidson said. \u2018\u2018The last thing I would want is to hold out for a little something more, like this little bit more, and it dry up and they don\u2019t get to experience [the playoffs]. Not that they asked to go out or anything. But in exploring the market, this was a great opportunity for both of them.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018I\u2019m not big on waiting to wait. If that sets the market, that sets the market, for better or worse. I would rather get a deal done with a return that I\u2019m satisfied with ahead of time than sweat it out. It either goes sideways and you lose something, or you just wait for the sake of waiting.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Critics of Davidson pointed out that while he got a second-round draft pick for Murphy, the Canucks got second- and fourth-round picks two days later for a similar defenseman in Tyler Myers<\/b>.<\/p>\n
However, the Flyers suffered the opposite fate. They held out for the best offer for another similar defenseman in Rasmus Ristolainen<\/b> and ended up not trading him (and therefore getting nothing for him).<\/p>\n
It will be interesting to see whether Davidson continues to act early when\/if he becomes a buyer in future years.<\/p>\n
When asked about defenseman Artyom Levshunov\u2019s<\/b> up-and-down season so far, it\u2019s not surprising Davidson supported and praised him.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018When you do something like we did with [him], where we took him out for a number of games \u2014 almost had a pseudo-training camp with him \u2014 that can go one of two ways,\u2019\u2019 Davidson said. \u2018\u2018[He] dug in. He went full throttle into the development opportunity that was presented. [He did] everything we asked of him.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
The individual practice program at least has stabilized Levshunov\u2019s season. He still is making some mistakes, but they\u2019re not as frequent or obvious as they were in late January.<\/p>\n
The Hawks have outscored opponents 3-2 during his five-on-five ice time since the Olympic break. He has also taken on penalty-killing duties for the first time now that Murphy is gone.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018\u2018He just looks a lot more settled,\u2019\u2019 Davidson said. \u2018\u2018Some of that is experience. Some of that is [because of his] little time out from a long, grinding season.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018I\u2019m really excited about the way [he] has trended. When you look at where he was a couple of years ago to where he was a year [ago to now] .\u2009.\u2009. the arrow is definitely pointed up.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
The Hawks will wear No. 19 patches on the backs of their helmets for the rest of the season to honor late player and broadcaster Troy Murray<\/b>.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jeff Blashill<\/b> coached his 600th career NHL game Sunday, becoming the sixth
U.S.-born coach to do so.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n