Bedard just continues to impress with his offensive ability.

It's very clear that Connor Bedard can shoot the puck and is going to score a lot of goals in the NHL. He has 22 in 63 games this season and leads all rookies in goals, assists (37) and points (59).

Bedard also tops all first-year NHLers with 199 shots on goal.

In the Blackhawks' 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars on Saturday, Bedard set a franchise record by scoring his seventh game-opening goal of the season, surpassing Denis Savard and Murray Balfour (six each) according to NHL Public Relations. That means nearly one-third of Bedard's goals have opened the scoring in the game for Chicago. 

It's important in the NHL to score first and the Blackhawks' 18-year-old star has proven he shows up on time to games. Coach Luke Richardson has stressed solid starts to his team this season, and that will matter more in the future when rebuilding Chicago's games become more meaningful.

As the Blackhawks improve, the team will be able to build on and hold the leads Bedard will surely help get them early. Without a broken jaw that forced him to miss 14 games in January and February, he probably would have set this Chicago rookie scoring record sooner.

Bedard is going to need more help next season and it's unfortunate the team was hit with some tough injuries. Having a healthy Taylor Hall back on Bedard's wing next season should make a big difference for the NHL's top draft pick of 2023. 

Hall has already resumed skating on his own following right ACL surgery in November. The former Hart Trophy winner should help Bedard build on his great rookie season and get even more acclimated to the world's toughest league. Hall did the same for New Jersey star center Nico Hischier when the two were linemates on the Devils in 2017-18 and 2018-19.

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