Connor Bedard was doing some testing with his stick in the summer.
Connor Bedard was doing some testing with his stick in the summer.
One of the best traits Connor Bedard is known for is his shot. This allowed for him to stand out from the rest of the players and dominate the games.
Before Bedard scored 22 goals in 68 games as a rookie for the Chicago Blackhawks at just 18 years old, but before that, he was putting up huge offensive numbers wherever he played. In his draft year, he scored 71 goals to go along with 143 points in just 57 games. On top of that, Bedard potted nine goals and 23 points in seven games at the World Junior Championships.
Bedard didn't just find his incredible scoring touch in his draft year though. He has been practicing and beating goaltenders for years. In his first two WHL seasons, he scored 12 goals in 15 games (2020-21) and then 51 goals and 62 games (2021-22). This was all with a stick with a lower flex. His stick is now in the low 70s. so even with the flex how it is, Bedard can really shoot with power and accuracy. He'll take much more wrist shots, but he is experimenting with going to a stick with a bit more flex.
Bedard is comfortable where he is with his stick and NHL players range quite a bit with their stick flex. He is definitely on the lower end, but a player like Patrick Kane plays with a 95-flex stick. Bedard said that he tried a 75-flex stick, but ultimately explained that “It's pretty wacky, but it (low 70-flex stick) feels comfortable to me,”
With the Blackhawks star trying out a stick with a higher flex, he is considering eventually getting there. Bedard noted, “I do think it would be beneficial, maybe, to go up a bit.”
Bedard knows best about his game and his shot. How he has been shooting has worked thus far in his career, but the NHL is the top level in the world. He is hoping the Blackhawks can take a step towards the playoffs, and that is going to come with even more production by him.
The sophomore is expected to take a step forward and score at least 30 goals and be a point-per-game. I don't think that is a stretch at all. He now has many options to play alongside him and the team isn't going to finish 32nd in goals scored and 28th on the power play. We will see how long it takes Bedard to permanently go to a different flex. For now, expect him to stay where he's comfortable and put in more time next summer with a 75-flex stick.
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