Year 3 with pivotal for Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks. General manager Kyle Davidson is pumping new blood into the life of a Blackhawks team that has underperformed since Bedard joined the team as the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft.
The Blackhawks fired head coach Luke Richardson in December after posting an 8-16-2 record to begin the 2024-25 season. With Anderson Sorenson as the interim coach, Chicago finished the campaign with a 25-46-11 record.
Chicago is turning to new head coach Jeff Blashill to help develop Bedard and a young team. During his introductory press conference on Tuesday at the United Center, Blashill said he believes Bedard can “get to another level,” per Phil Thompson of the Chicago Tribune.
Chicago Blackhawks’ new head coach Jeff Blashill on habits
Blashill called Bedard’s talent elite, but thinks the 19-year-old needs to employ “winning habits” if he wants to take the next step.
“That means all those winning habits: making sure you’re stopping on pucks, making sure your changes are great, making sure you’re (taking) short shifts,” Blashill said. “All those things lead to the development side of a winner, and then there’s also the development side of finding ways to separate yourself in Connor’s case.”
Connor Bedard needs to gain some speed
Blashill wants Bedard to show progress in speed, something the 2024 All-Star decided to skip the World Championship to work on.
“How can (Bedard) separate himself with the puck to create a little more space? Because when he has space in the offensive zone, he’s excellent,” Blashill said. “All those little ways — whether it’s with your brain, getting a little bit quicker — those things are in place to help him create that type of separation.
“And then also guide him into becoming that winning-type hockey player that we’ll need him to be.”
Bedard finished the 2024-25 season as the Blackhawks’ leader in points with 67. He scored 23 goals and earned 44 assists. Some speed and separation could help Bedard’s goal number go up and his turnover number go down next season.
And put a higher number in the win column for Chicago.
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