Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Bedard’s Resilience Amidst Rising Stars
SAN JOSE, Calif. – Even with a season interrupted by injury, Connor Bedard continues to demonstrate remarkable growth as a hockey player. When Bedard sustained a shoulder injury during a December 12th contest against the St. Louis Blues, he was undeniably among the league’s elite. Through his first 31 games, his points-per-game average trailed only Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, and Nikita Kucherov.
Equally noteworthy was his comparison to San Jose’s rising star, Macklin Celebrini. The two were tied for third in league scoring with 44 points (Celebrini having played one more game), both boasting a +8 plus/minus rating despite playing on defensively challenged teams. They also shared a 47% faceoff win rate and had their teams within two points of a playoff berth in the Western Conference. Bedard had four more goals, while Celebrini had four more assists.
The Bedard and Celebrini Era Begins
The hype surrounding both players was justified, and the Bedard and Celebrini era had begun. However, in the four months since, Celebrini has ascended to megastardom. Entering Monday’s game, he boasts 41 goals and 106 points, ranking fourth in the league and positioning himself as a serious Hart Trophy contender – a feat achieved by McDavid and Sidney Crosby early in their careers. He also shone on Canada’s top line at the Olympics, proving his dominance on the world stage. Crucially, Celebrini has kept the San Jose Sharks in playoff contention, a scenario previously deemed improbable.
Bedard hasn’t been idle either. He has 30 goals and 71 points in 64 games, maintaining a point-per-game pace. Despite playing on a team with a -38 goal differential, he’s a +3 at even strength. While he won’t reach 100 points or contend for the Hart Trophy, and didn’t make Team Canada, his Blackhawks remain outside of playoff contention following another trade deadline sell-off.
Looking Ahead with Optimism
Despite the challenges, Bedard remains undeterred. “You never want to get hurt,” he said. “You always want to play as many games as you can. But that’s not always going to be how it goes. I try not to look back at it too much.”
While his recent performance hasn’t been at his peak, Bedard believes he’s actually creating more scoring opportunities since the Olympic break. Statistics from Natural Stat Trick support this claim: he’s generating more individual shot attempts, scoring chances, and high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes than before his injury.
He acknowledges a dip in play during the period immediately following his injury when he couldn’t take faceoffs. “I think since the break, I’ve created a ton, maybe more than when I was up there in points,” he stated. “I feel pretty good.”
The Blackhawks’ Future
Despite the lack of goal-scoring luck, Bedard remains a dynamic force. He’s stepping into a leadership role with the departure of key veterans, becoming the face and voice of the franchise. His ability to produce despite playing with less experienced linemates like Ryan Greene and struggling veteran André Burakovsky highlights his potential.
The arrival of Anton Frondell, a top draft pick, initially offered a promising linemate, but a recent positional change has shifted the dynamic. Bedard has found chemistry with another rookie, Nick Lardis. He remains optimistic about his linemates, stating, “You always want to play with great players, but we have a lot of those guys… I’m not worried.”
Bedard is energized by the growing cohesion within the young core and the realization that this group represents the Blackhawks’ future. He’s confident in his continued growth and is committed to leading the team to success. “I kind of grew a bit in my game and stuff (this season),” he said. “Each year, you should be getting better. I’m confident in myself. And I’m going to get better every year.”
Source: The Athletic
