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The Chicago Blackhawks’ New interim general manager Kyle Davidson and new interim head coach Derek King met with the media for the first time on Sunday afternoon following the team’s morning skate ahead of its Sunday evening game with the Nashville Predators.
Davidson opened with a prepared statement, which Scott Powers of The Athletic shared on Twitter in a 2-minute, 12-second video:
Kyle Davidson’s opening statement pic.twitter.com/Z58bmQ2OUc
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) November 7, 2021
Here’s the money quote from that entire statement:
Blackhawks interim GM Kyle Davidson: “I quickly recognized the need for a change and took my concerns to Danny and Rocky.”
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) November 7, 2021
Davidson also spoke at length about what went into the decision to make the coaching change that occurred on Saturday:
Kyle Davidson on why a coaching change was needed pic.twitter.com/6dHbi7TGCJ
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) November 7, 2021
Along with the changes to the on-ice situation with the franchise, Davidson expressed a desire to be part of the off-ice changes within the entire hockey world that have been a necessity for years but are taking on a new level of urgency given the events of the last month within the Blackhawks organization:
Kyle Davidson said there are changes in hockey culture that need to be made, and adds;"I intend on being a positive influence in that endeavor."
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) November 7, 2021
King also answered a handful of questions from the media on Sunday, although the biggest development related to him was word from Davidson that King will remain behind the bench for the rest of the 2021-22 season.
The Blackhawks won’t start their search for a permanent coach until after the season, Davidson says.
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) November 7, 2021
Davidson was also asked about a common refrain from Blackhawks fans in the last 24 hours: why wasn’t Marc Crawford promoted to interim head coach?
Both Davidson and King said Marc Crawford will be heavily leaned on. Asked why Crawford didn't just get the job, and if it had anything to do with the allegations of abuse in his past, Davidson said it was important to have a new voice at the top, not someone already "entrenched"
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) November 7, 2021
Wrapping up Davidson’s comments from the press conference, here’s how he answered a question about differences between he and the former team general manager and president of hockey operations:
Davidson: I’m not Stan (Bowman). I’m a different person. With that comes philosophical differences.
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) November 7, 2021
Via Powers once again, here are a few lengthy answers from King related to his coaching style and any planned changes to the much-maligned Blackhawks systems:
Derek King on his coaching style pic.twitter.com/3HgK25eYqc
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) November 7, 2021
Derek King says he’s going to evaluate whether any systems need to change pic.twitter.com/hM4v1WfJda
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) November 7, 2021
King also explained how he’s going to handle communication with the Blackhawks two most veteran players:
Derek King on building a relationship with Kane and Toews pic.twitter.com/KE5PeXqhac
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) November 7, 2021
For a text version of another lengthy answer from King, here’s how King described his personality in player interactions:
I liked this answer from Derek King, when asked by @_phil_thompson about his personality with players: pic.twitter.com/HTplMBrIg0
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) November 7, 2021
And, finally, here’s King offering thoughts likely shared by just about everyone at the moment:
Derek King: "I'm nervous. I'm a little scared. Anxious. Excited. Lot of emotions."
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) November 7, 2021
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