Connor Bedard’s Bold First Game Provides Hope for Blackhawks

Connor Bedard is entering his sophomore season with the Chicago Blackhawks. Being a first overall pick, Bedard is always going to have all the attention on him, but this season feels different.

During the Blackhawks final game of the preseason against the St. Louis Blues on Oct. 5, Bedard played physical, even getting in a scrum with Zachary Bolduc. After the win, Luke Richardson spoke of Bedard’s physicality.

“I think Connor needs to stay out of that stuff if he could, but I like the thought process of it,” Richardson said, “his mentality that he’s not gonna take anything from anybody out there and he’s here to stay and he wants to own his ground out there.”

Bedard brought that same energy to the Blackhawks season opener in Utah. In 21:14 minutes of ice time, Bedard registered five shots on goal, dished out a hit and left his mark on the game creating some good chances for teammates, especially late in the game.

“Much like the team, I thought he really got going at the end in the third,” Richardson said following the los on Tuesday. “I thought he was really buzzing there on the forecheck, stole some pucks, kept some pucks in and made some great plays.”

The Blackhawks offense runs through Bedard.

Bedard registered two assists in the opening night loss, and he could have added a goal if his attempt at The Michigan went in.

Bedard out here trying the Michigan in game 1 of the season 😳 pic.twitter.com/OYi91wBxcb

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 9, 2024

Bedard enters his second season with more confidence. It’s a big reason we here at CHN have predicted he will register 100 points this year. Bedard has been through the grind of a full NHL Season and now can focus on just playing. With the addition of some new linemates the sky is the limit.

One area Bedard and the Hawks need to improve on – the power play. After the loss, Richardson addressed the power play which went 0 for 3 on the night.

“We got to move the puck quicker and we got to get shots from the point,” Richardson said. “That’s gonna open up plays for those guys down underneath.”

Bedard stepped into the NHL as an 18 year old last season and held his own. If he can elevate his play this season and not only hold his own but raise the bar, Chicago will be a fun team to watch in no time.

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