The NHL's first overall draft pick in 2023 just wants to fit in with new teammates, make the Blackhawks and take it from there
Connor Bedard is flattered, even humbled, by all the comparisons to high-end star players like Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid and Patrick Kane. But the NHL's No. 1 draft pick in 2023 just wants to be himself.
"I don't really think about that stuff," Bedard said Saturday at the Blackhawks prospect development camp in Chicago. "Obviously it's a huge honor to have my name in the same sense with those guys with anything, but I'm Connor Bedard and not someone else.
Bedard told reporters at the Blackhawks practice facility he wants to forge his own path in the NHL."I'm kind of trying to create my own path and be the best player I can be and not compare myself to other guys."
No matter how good he eventually becomes, Bedard has said he's "not a lock on the team or anything." Still, playing for the Blackhawks — and having a key role — starting this season seems likely for the center, billed as the game's next generational talent.
Chicago coach Luke Richardson is just getting to know Bedard this week at the camp, which has no on-ice component although there are two rinks at the Blackhawks practice facility. Richardson all-but predicts that Bedard, who turns 18 on July 17, will be on the team's opening day roster on Oct. 10 at Pittsburgh.
"I don't think so," Richardson said when asked if there's any suspense about Bedard making the team. "But he's a high-end player. And he's obviously an exceptional talent and I think he's got the personality and the drive away from the rink to handle all the extra attention he gets."
Richardson said someone in the Blackhawks organization told him Bedard wanted to bring his skates to the camp, even though there are no on-ice sessions at the Fifth-Third Arena. The week-long event for about 30 top prospects is strictly about off-ice training, instruction and planning – plus a little fun and bonding.
Coach Luke Richardson wore a t-shirt his wife bought to rib GM Kyle Davidson on his 35h birthday. Davidson identified himself as "Kyle from Chicago" in pranking in podcast crew in Nashville before the draft.Bedard is looking forward to settling in, focusing on hockey and not hoopla.
"I think I'm a pretty normal guy," Bedard said. "And for me, that's really important. I don't see myself as any different because maybe there's a little more attention on the outside. I just want to be a good teammate and fit in with the locker room."
While Bedard could quickly become the new star or even face of the Blackhawks, there's no special plan for the North Vancouver, B.C. native. Richardson stressed he allots roles and ice time purely on merit.
"I think (Bedard's) just a guy who wants to be one of the guys," Richardson said. "And that's what we want him to be. We want him to fit in.
"We want the team to grow as a team, not as an individual, and then everybody else follows. And I think that's what he wants. He's another player, just like anyone else."
The additions of veteran forwards Taylor Hall, Nick Foligno and Corey Perry should help Bedard and other Blackhawks youngsters transition to the NHL on and off the ice.
And Bedard will likely face opponents' No. 1 pairings from the get-go in October, but Richardson isn't worried.
"I think that's going to push him to be even better," Richardson said. "Not really afraid of what he's going to go up against, but definitely there are going to be adjustments for him."
Bedard's pure talent — skating, shooting, playmaking — should shine once once he figures things out. Given his drive and hockey IQ, that may not take long.
"He's going to have the puck and he's going to be gone," said Richardson, a first-round draft pick himself (Toronto, 1987, seventh overall). "So you'll have to keep up with him."
At the development camp, Bedard said he's working on "getting faster, stronger and building power" He's happy with his 185-pound weight.
Bedard and other Blackhawks prospects will get this kind of view at Wrigley Field.Bedard and other prospects will get a supervised introduction to Chicago by the team. That includes taking in a Cubs game versus Cleveland at Wrigley Field on Sunday, July 2.
Bedard said he got a little extra insight on the city and fans in a phone call from Kane, the Blackhawks only other first overall draft pick (2007) and superstar for 16 seasons. Now an unrestricted free agent and recovering from hip surgery, Kane invited Bedard to reach out to him with questions.
"That was super nice for him to do" he said. "It was pretty great to hear from him and obviously he's a Chicago legend."