2025 Mar 15, 10:19
Connor Bedard, the No. 1 pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Draft, has taken the NHL by storm 11 weeks into his professional career. Bedard leads NHL rookies and the Blackhawks with 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 33 games. He became the ninth 18-year-old rookie in NHL history to reach 30 points in 33 or fewer games
Bedard added to his personal highlight reel when he scored a lacrosse-style goal in the Blackhawks' 7-5 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. He is on a four-game point streak (one goal, five assists), which includes two assists against the Vancouver Canucks on Dec. 17 and two assists against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday. This week, the Blackhawks have two games coming out of the Christmas break
They will host the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday and play at the Dallas Stars on Friday. The most intriguing matchup this week will be Bedard versus Robertson, two of the best young scorers in the League. Robertson, a finalist for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year in 2020-21, has 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists) for the Stars. The most anticipated game this week will be the Blackhawks versus the Jets, as it will be the second time the teams play after Winnipeg defeated Chicago 3-1 on Dec
2. Bedard continues to be one of the most assertive and productive players in the NHL from the mid-range in the offensive zone, ranking in the 98th percentile among all players with seven goals and 54 shots on goal from that area. He also covers a lot of ice, averaging 10.31 miles per 60 minutes, which ranks in the 92nd percentile. Bedard has improved throughout the season, particularly in carrying the puck through the neutral zone. He feels more comfortable now than he did in the first few games.