Blackhawks Daily: Bedard & the Toronto Media; 3 Teams After Kane?

Ah yes, it woudn’t be a hockey story if it didn’t come out of Toronto. According to the Toronto Sun’s Steve Simmons, Chicago Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard wasn’t as readily available as he should have been during the Blackhawks 4-1 victory over the Maple Leafs.

Patrick Kane purportedly has three teams really after him– including one that will really make Blackhawks fans sick to their stomach. How about Logan Cooley staying right in line with Bedard in points-per-game? That Calder race may very well be a fun one.

A couple thoughts on the above. One, Bedard has been made readily available at practically every turn by the Blackhawks. To think it was a snub isn’t really believable. Though Simmons isn’t exactly popular with fans, he’s likely just disappointed that the media scrums he saw postgame in Pittsburgh, Boston, and Montreal wasn’t there in Toronto. Bedard’s stats, as pointed out by Simmons, weren’t like they were in the aforementioned cities.

The kid doesn’t wear the C. He’s 18-years-old. For sure, he’s generational and the face of the team. But he’s human. Those outraged at Simmons or those in disbelief that he wasn’t there should take a breath. Bedard will have plenty of opportunity to present in Toronto–likely in January at the All-Star Game.

No, you don’t have to feel sorry for him, either. That’s not the point. But like the rest of us, maybe he just needed a break.

Blackhawks In Case You Missed It

• Arvid Soderblom has enjoyed a spectacular start. IceHogs coach Anders Sorensen, who knows his ability well, talks about the mental toughness that has gotten him there
• The Blackhawks power play finally potted a goal–and maybe more to come
• The team-first mentality from the Blackhawks are pacing their strong start

Western Conference Wrap

Colorado Hockey Now: The Colorado Avalanche are one of three teams linked to former Hawk forward Patrick Kane

Nashville Hockey Now: Mattias Eckholm finds what he was looking for with the Nashville Predators: closure

San Jose Hockey Now: Looks like Brett Burns would have welcomed a reunion with former San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson

Vegas Hockey Now: The goalie rotation for the Vegas Golden Knights will not be a 50/50 split

Hockey Now Network

Boston Hockey Now: Jimmy Murphy writes that the Boston Bruins good start doesn’t take away from the overall vision

Detroit Hockey Now: Lucas Raymond isn’t exactly going head over heels for the viral hit he had in the Detroit Red Wings win over Tampa Bay

Montreal Hockey Now: Former Blackhawk Kirby Dach won’t be back for the Montreal Canadiens any time soon following the hit from Jarred Tinordi during the Chicago’s loss to the Habs.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dan Kingerski writes that the Pittsburgh Penguins aren’t playing their best 12 up front.