CHICAGO — When it comes to his plans for the Chicago Blackhawks, general manager Kyle Davidson is focused on the growth and maturation of the organization’s top prospects. That group includes a total of 11 first-round picks since the 2022 draft.

Such is life these days for the NHL’s rebuilding teams, looking to chart a course back to the playoffs in a league with a rising salary cap. Financial flexibility — when it comes to free agency, or using cap space to facilitate a trade — isn’t what it used to be, putting an even bigger emphasis on player development.

“(Free agency) is something that’s definitely a tool in our toolbox in roster building,” Davidson said. “But I think the main one has to be and will be growing from within and building from within.”

The salary cap for this season is

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