Connor Bedard's 18th Birthday: Blackhawks, Their Fans Can Drink to That
Top draft pick of 2023 should give Chicago's lineup a shot, at least at the top. More details to come in The Hockey News 2023-24 Yearbook.
Connor Bedard's 18th Birthday: Blackhawks, Their Fans Can Drink to ThatConnor Bedard turns 18 today: Monday, July 17, 2023.
That means the NHL’s top draft pick is still a year too young to buy a drink in his home province of British Columbia. But the North Vancouver native already has shaken and stirred the Chicago Blackhawks projected 2023-24 depth chart.
At least the top of it.
Although Bedard says he just want to make the Blackhawks this fall, the (just under) 5-foot-10, 185 pound forward slots in at the No. 1 center on the team. Remember, coach Luke Richardson often moves forwards into different spots.
The Blackhawks announced they signed Bedard to a three-year entry level contract at 9 a.m. CDT. It's a three-year entry-level deal with $950,000 salary cap hit and bonuses that bring the total pay to about $4.45 million.
There may be other details, including promotional deals, that will be worked out by Bedard's agent and team at Newport Sports Management, based in Mississauga, Ontario.
We’ll have more in The Hockey News 2023-24 Yearbook, going to print right now.
But here’s our current Top-6 forward projection for the Blackhawks:
- Center: Bedard, Tyler Johnson. Johnson, who turns 33, needs to stay healthy in the final season of a seven-year contract that pays $5 million. He's done a great job of coming back after having an artificial disk placed in his neck, as did Jack Eichel of Vegas.
- Left wing: Taylor Hall, Lukas Reichel. Hall, 31, wants to show he can again be a Top-6 or higher forward, probably playing with Bedard. Reichel is expected to improve and make a consistent impact.
- Right wing: Andreas Athanasiou, Taylor Raddysh. The speedy Athanasiou can play all three forward spots. He and Raddysh came on strong at late last season. The two are Chicago’s only returning 20 goal scorers.
The next three forwards:
- Center: Ryan Donato.
- Left wing: Nick Foligno
- Right wing: Corey Perry
All three veterans are new in Chicago. Foligno and Donato are versatile, position-wise.
Keep an eye on enigmatic Philipp Kurashev to move up. The talent and potential are there, but GM Kyle Davidson has to re-sign the RFA first.
On defense:
- Top 2: Seth Jones and Connor Murphy
- Next 2: Jarred Tinordi and Nikita Zaitsev
But everyone will be watching 19-year-old Kevin Korchinski, Chicago’s top draft pick in 2022. Korchinski must either made the Blackhawks or return to the WHL Seattle Thunderbirds, his junior team. Since he’s not yet 20, AHL Rockford isn’t an option per an agreement with the CHL.
Wilmette, Illinois native Alex Vlasic could move up too. Davidson has said the roster is basically finished, but didn’t discount adding a defenseman before the season starts.
Goal:
- Petr Mrazek and Arvid Söderblom.
The oft-injured Mrazek (groin) will play out the final year of his contract. Söderblom starts a two-year bargain deal.
Jaxson Stauber and 21-year-old Drew Commesso, Chicago’s best long-term goaltending, prospect, figure to begin the season in Rockford, barring a breakthrough training camp.