Connor Bedard Optimistic Amid Blackhawks’ Fifth Straight Playoff Miss

CHICAGO — Despite enduring another challenging season, 19-year-old Connor Bedard remains positive about the future of the Chicago Blackhawks. Following a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, which eliminated the team from playoff contention for the fifth consecutive year, Bedard emphasized the importance of growth and development over immediate results.

“Yeah, big time. You’re seeing guys come up and make a difference,” Bedard, the No. 1 pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, said Friday. “I know what I’m trying to do right now is not be so focused on results and just know we’re young, we’re trying to get better and just have fun. It’s a great group of guys and we have, what, three weeks left? So just have fun, enjoy it and do the best you can.”

The Blackhawks currently hold a record of 20-41-9 and haven’t qualified for the postseason since the 2019-20 season. They have played in the playoffs just once in the last eight seasons. Despite their struggles, some young players have made a positive impact, helping to foster a sense of optimism in the locker room.

Centers and other players have continued to develop as key contributors this season. For instance, a 21-year-old center has established notable chemistry with Bedard, tallying 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 41 games. On the defensive front, two 22-year-old defensemen have also made their mark, contributing four points each since being recalled from Rockford of the AHL.

The excitement shines brightest for the 19-year-old defenseman recently drafted second overall in 2024, who has earned two assists in just six games since joining the team. “He comes up and he looks great,” Bedard remarked. “You can see why he is projected to be what he is. You can definitely see the future of him being a No. 1 guy.”

Bedard continues to be a standout player, leading the Blackhawks with 54 points (19 goals, 35 assists) in 70 games this season. The Calder Trophy winner, awarded to the NHL’s rookie of the year last season, acknowledged the challenges he has faced during his sophomore campaign.

“Up to this point I feel I’ve had a couple little, like, 12-15 game stretches where, if you look at points … obviously points aren’t everything, but as a guy who’s supposed to produce, those stretches are what I need to get rid of,” he said. “The rest of the year’s been pretty good, I feel like. I have a lot of areas I can improve but that’s exciting in a way, too, where you can be a lot better.”

Looking ahead, Bedard is keenly aware of the team’s future direction. This offseason, the Blackhawks will prioritize interviewing coaching candidates after firing Luke Richardson in December. Interim coach Anders Sorensen has led the team since then.

While Bedard remains focused on improving his game, he has also formed a positive relationship with general manager Kyle Davidson. Bedard appreciates their open lines of communication and believes it plays a critical role in the team’s rebuilding process.

“Yeah, we have a good relationship,” Bedard stated. “It’s cool. He’s a younger GM (36) and we’re a younger team. We have a lot of guys coming in basically at the same time as him. He’s really easy to talk to and I think we’re all trying to grow together and take those next steps, and having that relationship is important.”

As the Blackhawks strive to return to their championship glory days, Bedard understands that player development is key to their future success. “There are a lot of things you can point to. It’s a hard league. I think it is on all of us as individuals in a way. If each guy gets a little better, then we’ll be better as a team. That’s a big step,” he said. “But there are always little things you can do to win more games and we’re trying to figure that out.”