The Chicago Blackhawks are taking their sweet time choosing a new head coach. Who the Blackhawks choose to replace former head coach Luke Richardson will be key in the development of Connor Bedard, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft.
Before the 2023 draft, Bedward was considered a generational hockey athlete in the mold of players like Connor McDavid. Bedard has proven to be a solid contributor for the Blackhawks, leading the team in points (67) this past season and (61) in his rookie campaign.
Of his 67 points this season, 44 came as assists and 23 were goals. He went through a cold streak in March that was accompanied by costly turnovers.
Bedard also has a key problem to overcome for any center in the league: he struggles with faceoffs. He won just 38.3% of his faceoffs last season, down from 38.9% in 2023-24.
A new position for Connor Bedard?
Corey Pronman of The Athletic thinks the Blackhawks front office and new coaching staff have a big decision to make on Bedard’s future amid the upcoming draft. Pronman suggested Chicago could switch the five-foot-10, 185-pound athlete to winger and draft center Anton Frondell with the No. 3 pick.
“Frondell brings high-end skill and a complete 200-foot game and fills Chicago’s need for a strong two-way pivot to pair with Connor Bedard, who may end up as a long-term winger in the NHL,” Pronman wrote.
Chicago Blackhawks need to make the change ASAP, if they do it at all
Typically, the best forwards in the NHL play center, but that might not be Bedard’s forte. His style appears closer to Patrick Kane than Jonathan Toews.
The sooner the Blackhawks make the switch, the better, but the organization needs to find a long-term solution at the No. 1 center position to pair with Bedard.
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