He's only played two games. He's still adjusting. But the NHL's top draft pick of 2023 has been Chicago's most noticeable player so far – and the results should follow soon.
Connor Bedard just turned pro. But the Chicago Blackhawks prized rookie already is playing like a consummate professional beyond his years, two games into his NHL career.
Chicago coach Luke Richardson keeps reminding everyone the ice is where Bedard, the sport's "next generational talent," is most comfortable. A rink is much more than the 18-year-old center's happy space; it's his workspace — and is he ever focused on his job.
Bedard is not only totally immersed in hockey, he's a quick study. His ability to learn on-the-go is as lightning-fast as his skating, moves or shot, Richardson said in the video below.
Sure, Bedard is still gearing up from the pace of the Western Hockey League. He's admits some offensive tricks that worked as slick junior star don't translate to the NHL in the video below.
Bottom line: Bedard's adjustment to the NHL isn't taking long. So stay tuned to see what he might do any given night, starting on Saturday against the Canadiens in Montréal in Game 3 of the Blackhawks season-opening, five-city trip. It also will be Bedard's Hockey Night in Canada debut.
Tied for NHL lead in shots and...
After two games Bedard was tied for the NHL lead in shots on goal with 11. The forward had attempted 18, including ones were or resulted in prime chances. He averaged 21:37 minutes of ice time; only No. 1 D-man Seth Jones had more on Chicago.
Bedard recorded his first point, an assist, in Chicago's 4-2 win at Pittsburgh on Tuesday. The long-hyped matchup against Sidney Crosby's Penguins set a regular-season hockey viewing record for ESPN.
Bedard scored his first goal early in a game at Boston on Wednesday, curling the puck inside the left post before reigning Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark could slide across. Bedard had picked up a rebound behind the net after Ullmark blocked his shot from a sharp angle off the right side. See video from TNT/Chicago Blackhawks: https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/video/connor-bedard-with-a-goal-vs-boston-bruins-6338868343112
The play was over in a couple of seconds, but Bedard recognized and processed it instantly. See his explanation in the video.
Ullmark robbed Bedard later in the first period from the slot. The rookie missed on a chance to tie the game at 2 in the third before David Pastrnak's second goal, an empty-netter, sealed Boston's 3-1 win.
Bedard's vision, skills, hockey sense and craftiness are fully engaged, just not quite fully in-sync at an NHL pace and environment. Richardson offers more in the video below.
But it shouldn't be long before Bedard really is driving the Blackhawks attack with plays that show up on highlight reels.
See veteran teammate Nick Foligno in video below. Chicago's "Hockey Wunderkind" sure seems for real.