Kyle Davidson pleased with Blackhawks' play, Luke Richardson's coaching despite inconsistent results

ANAHEIM, Calif. — When Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said he wanted to see the team take a step forward this season, he meant in terms of victories.

But this early in the season — through 13 of 82 games — he's OK with the fact that the Hawks' improvement hasn't translated into too many victories yet. That's because he's seeing the steps he wanted to see in the gray areas and thinks those steps eventually will lead to better results.

"I actually like the way we're playing," Davidson told the Sun-Times on Sunday. "It's unfortunate we just haven't gotten results. That's frustrating. But at the same time, in the bigger picture, we're playing better than last year. There has been definite improvement."

Davidson mentioned it's not surprising that a roster with as many new pieces as the Hawks have might take a little longer to jell and find its stride. The fact the team has now won three of its last four games to improve its record to 5-7-1 lends credence to that theory.

That's not an excuse, but there's nothing major to excuse because this newly assembled group hasn't played that badly. During five-on-five play, the Hawks have scored 23 goals and conceded 23, playing break-even hockey. Their 46.1% expected-goals share (which ranks 26th in the league) is worse but still much better than last season, when they ranked 31st at 42.3%.

It's important to keep context in mind, too. In spite of Davidson's step-forward decree, the Hawks weren't expected to be playoff contenders this season. So even approaching the middle of the pack leaguewide is respectable.

Davidson's general satisfaction applies to Luke Richardson's coaching, too.

"We've asked for some improvements in areas [such as] the defensive play, our structure and the resilience of the group, and we have seen some positive strides there," Davidson said. "Whether it's the team [or] the coaches, whoever you're evaluating, it's still a very incomplete evaluation on the season. I hope to see those things continue to progress, but I do like the strides we've made."

Every NHL city has at least a handful of particularly impatient fans who call for the coach's head after every loss, and Richardson's two years of immunity from that vocal minority are clearly over. There have been replies to every recent Hawks-related social-media post demanding his firing.

Davidson, however, labeled those as "ridiculous thoughts." Richardson's job security remains strong. His seat isn't warm, much less hot.

"Fans are very passionate," Davidson said. "They care very much, and they want to see the team succeed. There are going to be frustrations with me, with Luke, with the players...and then they could be happy with all of the above at different times.

"We're constantly working with the coaches and constantly evaluating [them], just like we are the players. It's an ongoing evaluation."

One of the brightest spots for the Hawks so far has been forward Lukas Reichel, who looks like a totally different player than he did last season. The development of young players like him matters far more to the Hawks' long-term future than the week-to-week fluctuations of this veteran roster, so it will represent another feather in Richardson's cap if it continues.

"[Reichel] looks more confident and more assertive with the puck," Davidson said. "That's the strength of his game: his speed and skill with the puck and [ability to] make things happen. But you're also seeing him fight for pucks and win those 50/50 battles. Those are all things the coaching staff has asked of him, so it's positive strides."

During training camp, Davidson said he didn't want to see Reichel relegated to a fourth-line role. He clarified Sunday that when it's working this well, however, he's fine with it. Reichel's role on the top power-play unit also gets him more ice time and offensive opportunities.

Still a teenager

Last season, it was obvious Bedard was the youngest player in the NHL. This season, it isn't.

But Davidson pointed out that Bedard, 19, actually is still the youngest active player in the league right now. He entered the season as the third-youngest, but Sharks rookie Macklin Celebrini is injured and the Flyers have since returned prospect Jett Luchanko to the OHL.

Bedard's three-assist effort Sunday against the Ducks raised his point total to 12 in 13 games, but he still snapped his stick when he failed to convert a second-period breakaway and said afterward he "can't score to save my life right now."

Davidson remains impressed by Bedard's driven personality. He always wants — and almost expects — to play better than he is, no matter how well he's playing already.

"That mentality that he wants to go out and dominate every shift, that's what makes people like him special, and you don't want to take that away or diminish that," Davidson said. "You want to make sure he doesn't get too frustrated because his standards are so high for himself, but that's just something you keep alive."

Promotions possible

Rockford has begun the season with a mediocre 3-4-0 record in the AHL, but top Hawks prospect forward Frank Nazar has been fantastic. He has seven points (three goals and four assists) in seven games, and he's usually making plays happen even on shifts where he doesn't get a point.

Davidson sent Nazar and defenseman Kevin Korchinski to Rockford to start the season because he thinks they'll benefit from the AHL seasoning, but he clarified they won't necessarily spend the entire season there if they keep playing well.

"Ideally, they have to earn their way [to the NHL roster]," Davidson said. "But there's definitely opportunity to get some time in the second half if they continue on the path they're on. It's very advantageous for them to get that [NHL experience], especially if they've earned it."