10 Games In: How Do Connor Bedard, Kevin Korchinski Measure Up To Other Heralded Blackhawks Rookies

So how do Connor Bedard and Kevin Korchinski measure up to other highly touted, top Blackhawks rookies after 10 NHL games?

For the most part, Chicago's previous young stars were ahead of Bedard and Korchinski, at least statistically.

Chicago has drafted highly-skilled forwards early in the first round before. Patrick Kane, in 2007, is the Blackhawks only other No. 1 overall pick besides Bedard in 2023. But Jeremy Roenick (1988) and Denis Savard (1980) weren't far behind.

The same is true with defensemen. We'll contrast Korchinski with first-rounders Brent Seabrook (2003) and Doug Wilson (1977), plus second-rounder Duncan Keith (2005). 

Start with Bedard and Korchinski's stats so far after 10 games.

Bedard has five goals and two assists and is tied with Corey Perry for the team lead with seven points. The 18-year-old has 30 shots on goal to tie for the league lead. Entering Sunday night's game against New Jersey, the center had goals in three straight games

Bedard is a minus-5 on a 4-6-0 team that has scored 24 goals while allowing 34. He's averaging 19:25 of ice time per game, leading all Chicago forwards.

Korchinski hasn't scored yet, but has three assists and has taken nine shots. 

He's minus-8, but the 19-year-old D-man's potential has outshined any mistakes or bad luck for being caught on the ice during a breakdown that he didn't cause. Only blue line anchor Seth Jones has averaged more ice time that Korchinski's 19:42 per game.

Let compare Bedard to Patrick Kane, Jeremy Roenick and Denis Savard after 10 games.

Kane was drafted first overall in 2007 and began his NHL career at age 18. Through 10 games: Three goals, 10 assists, 13 points on 33 shots Plus-4. An averaging 19:12 TOI.

Roenick was drafted eighth overall in 1988 and debuted the following October at age 18. Through nine games: Four goals, four assists, eight points on 13 shots. Minus-1. Ice time not kept.

Hall of Famer Savard was drafted third overall in 1980, then skated in the fall for Chicago at age 18. Through nine games: four goals, nine assists, 13 points on 17 shots and a plus 6. No TOI.

Let's compare Korchinski to Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Doug Wilson.

Keith debuted in the NHL in 2005 at age 22. He had been drafted in the second round, 54th overall in 2002. Through 10 games: One goal, two assists, three points and 19 shots. He was a minus-4 and averaging 21:50 TOI

Seabrook was selected in the first round, 14th overall in 2003. He didn't make it to the NHL until 2005 when he was 20. Through 10 games: No goals, seven assists, seven points and 19 shots. Seabrook was plus-2 and averaging 19:36 of ice time.

Wilson, a Hall-of-Famer, was selected in the first round, sixth overall in 1977, then entered the NHL at age 20. Through 10 games he had: Two goals, three assists, five points and 33 shots. He was a plus-9 and TOI wasn't kept.