The NHL's heralded 2023 top draft pick has made his scoring statement. Opponents are responding. Lukas Reichel shifted to to the left wing on Bedard's line on Sunday
Connor Bedard's scoring trajectory has cooled off after the Blackhawks 18-year-old center erupted for four goals and two assists in a pair of games in Florida on Oct. 9, and 12.
The NHL's top draft pick of 2023 still leads rookies in scoring with nine goals and 15 points through his first 16 games. But Bedard had just two assists in his last three games entering Wednesday night's contest at Columbus against the Blue Jackets and their big-name rookie, Adam Fantilli.
Bedard popped off a combined nine shots on goal against the Lightning and Panthers in the consecutive road games. He attempted four more; two were blocked and two missed the net.
In the last three games, Bedard has only two assists. Both came when linemate Philipp Kurashev buried rebounds of Bedard's shots. Bedard has four total shots on goal in his last three contests, and has attempted nine more that missed the net or were blocked.
More attention, more resistance.
Coach Luke Richardson acknowledged Bedard is being watched more closely by opponents. The rookie still places plenty of ups-and-downs as he adjusts to the world's best league.
Tampa Bay star defenseman Victor Hedman said the Lightning just made sure Bedard didn't have the puck as often — and had to fight for it harder — in the Lightning's 4-2 win at the United Center in a rematch on Nov. 16.
Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper was impressed with the forward, even though his team dominated late in the game at Chicago and kept Bedard off the scoresheet. And Hedman scored the game-winning goal, midway through the third period, after the Lightning penned in and wore down Bedard's line the Hawks zone.
"What has he got, a point a game?" Cooper said" "If he comes in as an 18-year-old... and has 82 points this year, that's unreal. He's not pointing every night.
"I don't want to spoil it for everyone, but you can tell the plays that kid makes. If he goes pointless for a night, people should pump the breaks. He's going to be OK."
Richardson echoed that. See the video:
New linemate for Bedard: Lukas Reichel
Richardson juggled his lines for Sunday's 3-2 loss to Buffalo, placing Lukas Reichel on Bedard's left side while keeping Philipp Kurashev on the right. Reichel, rated as Chicago's top prospect before this season, has needed a boost, too. The 21-year-old German has just one goal and three assists in 16 games.
The trio started to click against the Sabres. Kurashev scored his second goal in two games and had an assist. The speedy 24-year-old has four goals and 10 points in 10 contests since returning from a left wrist injury he suffered in a preseason game.
Reichel liked skating on the line. See video.
Fantilli Stats, Comparison
Fantilli had been rated as the No. 2 prospect heading into the 2023 draft, but was selected third overall by Columbus after Anaheim took Leo Carlsson with the second pick. Fantilli, a 19-year-old from the outskirts of the Greater Toronto Area, is 6-foot-2 and 195-pounds and cuts a more imposing presence than Bedard.
He played most of last season at the University of Michigan, scoring an eye-popping 30 goals and 35 assists as a freshman in NCAA play.
At the WJC, Fantilli had two goals and five points in seven games. Bedard rewrote the record book with his performance for Team Canada, running up nine goals and 23 points in the seven matches.
In 19 games so far with the Blue Jackets, Fantilli has four goals and nine points. He's been held off the scoresheet in his last four games, but has 20 shots on goal during the span. The center took 10 shots on goal in a 3-2 loss to Arizona last Thursday.
Fantilli leads NHL rookies with 54 shots. Bedard is second with 47. Both players are a minus-7.