Brandon Davidson set to make Blackhawks debut vs. Blue Jackets

Defenseman Brandon Davidson will make his regular-season debut for the Blackhawks when the team visits the Blue Jackets on Saturday night at Nationwide Arena.

Davidson skated alongside Jan Rutta on the third defensive pairing during the Blackhawks’ practice Friday at MB Ice Arena the day after the team’s 4-1 loss to the Coyotes.

Davidson is taking the spot from Brandon Manning, who was on the ice for two goals Thursday by the Coyotes and has been on the ice for seven of the 14 even-strength goals surrendered by Chicago this season.

The 27-year-old Davidson earned a roster spot after joining the Blackhawks on a professional tryout during the preseason. He appeared in three preseason games and tallied one assist. The Blackhawks then signed him to a one-year contract worth $650,000.

Davidson was originally a sixth-round draft pick (162nd overall) of the Edmonton Oilers in the 2010 NHL Draft and debuted with the team during the 2014-15 NHL season. During the last four years, Davidson has appeared in 152 games with the Oilers, Canadiens and Islanders, amassing nine goals and 13 assists with a career average of 17:13 of ice time per night.