Connor Bedard had an impressive rookie season in the NHL by leading the Chicago Blackhawks and winning the Calder Trophy at age 18. Everyone believed that he would only get a whole lot better very quickly because he is a generational talent. Lately, he hasn’t exactly impacted the game as many, including himself, expected he would.
When asked about his play, Bedard said he’s “Definitely not playing great the last little bit, so I’ll try to be better.” He isn’t scoring like he is capable of and isn’t producing offensively at a point-per-game rate just yet. He has three goals and 13 points in 16 games.
Bedard has the shot and ability to get there, but we also have to remember that he is only 19 years old. That isn’t anywhere near the prime of his career just yet.
Something has to stick eventually because Bedard’s linemates have changed quite a bit already this season. He is now with Nick Foligno and Lukas Reichel, two players that started the season in the bottom-6.
When Bedard was asked to expand on what he said as to where he can be better, he explained, “You can look everywhere, but just feeling like I’m having more of an impact on the game. Felt like earlier in the year I was making a lot of plays and was pretty dangerous out there. Lately I’ve just been less of an impact and not really making a difference. Hopefully I can contribute more.”
With his talent and a mind for hockey like Bedard has, there will be a lot of self evaluation. He knows he is expected to have an impact on every game if the Blackhawks are going to succeed.
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Despite the team winning four of the last seven games, Bedard has only produced points in two of them, one of which came in a loss. He put up three assists in a win over the Anaheim Ducks and one assist in a loss to the Dallas Stars.
He is a -4 over the past three games and while playing over 20 minutes in six of the first eight games, he has only done so twice in the past seven, logging fewer than 18 minutes four times. As a centerman, Bedard has been unable to be successful on the draws which has hurt the team as well. He isn’t alone though. Only Foligno has done well on faceoffs.
Bedard needs to start firing off more shots with his wicked release and start dominating the game like he can again. The young superstar knows what he has to do and recognizes his lack of an impact lately. You can guarantee he will be working extra hard to change that.
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