Blackhawks players set playoffs as 2027 goal, but Kyle Davidson knows that'll require enormous leap

Kyle Davidson has learned not to set specific expectations for specific seasons.

Two years ago, the Blackhawks general manager made that mistake while looking ahead to 2024-25, declaring: "It's time to take a step forward. Previous to this year, we finished third-last. This year, we finished second-last. That can’t happen again."

The Hawks, in fact, did finish second-last again. Then they finished second-last again in the just-concluded 2025-26 season.

Screenshots of that Davidson quote were re-circulated this week by the impatient portion of the Hawks' fan base, citing it as evidence of Davidson failing his own goals and not deserving his new contract extension.

Davidson's job security remains strong, despite the fan frustration. But he avoided setting the same trap for himself during his end-of-season news conference Thursday, using vaguer language while still expressing a general need for improvement.

(Davidson can also point to points, which have increased from 52 to 61 to 72 over the last three seasons, as evidence that steps forward actually have been taken, just not reflected in the standings.)

Hawks players, however, did not exercise the same caution. They were blunt — and ambitious — with their goals for 2026-27.

"Going into next season, playoffs are the expectation," Alex Vlasic said. "We're not here to do this again. And we all know that in the locker room. We have confidence in our group. Going into the summer, we're all excited about coming back here next year and really making a push."

Player after player stood at a podium and uttered similar versions of that statement.

"This kind of has to be the last year of...not playing until the end of the year, [not] playing for something in the playoff standings," Connor Bedard said.

"You saw that for the first half of the year. We were in that spot. And then...we slid a little bit. As my production went down, I feel responsible for that, which adds motivation. I think all our guys are ready to make that push."

Indeed, the Hawks were in a spot on Nov. 18 this season after their 10-5-4 start, and they briefly pulled back within three points of a spot on Jan. 10 (while Bedard was injured). That feels like a different universe now, though.

"We're ready to take that step," Ryan Donato said. "The difference is really small, but the work you have to put in [to overcome] that difference is really big. Guys know that and are hungry and excited to prove that next season."

Said Spencer Knight: "I hope we continue to grow and our mindset...starts to be, 'Hey, we're not just trying to be a collective group of players in the NHL. We're trying to be a legitimate team in this league.' That's probably going to start next year."

Players expressed the same things in their exit interviews with Davidson, which he enjoyed hearing.

"We've gone through these the last number of years where it's a little more skeptical," Davidson said. "This felt different. This felt a lot more excitement and positivity."

Personally, he seems skeptical about a playoffs-or-bust mindset. The Hawks just finished 18 points out in a weak year for the Western Conference. They would likely need to improve by 20-plus points next season to squeeze in.

But the fans deserve competitive hockey, and objectively it is Davidson's job to give it to them as soon as possible. He would be thrilled by a breakthrough next season.

"The players are very motivated to make sure that we're pushing for the playoffs next year," Davidson said. "That is a goal we believe they should come in a training camp trying to achieve.

"It's something that would require a major step forward. But the group is motivated and talented enough that we feel it's not unrealistic to expect that."