Chicago Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson and teammates are already starting to see what makes the the NHL's 2023 top draft pick a unique, "generational talent."
Chicago Blackhawks second-year coach Luke Richardson says he's just getting to know his team's expected next foundational star, Connor Bedard, as a person – and vice versa.
But Richardson can already see what makes the 18-year-old Bedard special on the ice. Among the forward's gifts are focus and a cool temperament. Hype and chatter don't faze the NHL's top draft pick of 2023.
"He's just continually doing things where people question if he's going to do it," Richardson said. "I don't think it bothers him; I don't think he really hears the noise. I think he's truly an honest humble kid that wants to go out there every day and play and work."
Richardson pointed to Bedard's success last season with the WHL Regina Pats, a team that wasn't expected to make the playoffs. But with Bedard leading the CHL in scoring (71 goals, 72 assists in 57 games), Regina reached the postseason and then forced an opening round series with the rival Saskatoon Blade to Game 7 before falling.
Then there was Canada's World Junior Championship team. No surprise that Bedard led Canada to the gold medal, but "he goes to World Juniors and basically rewrites records," Richardson said.
Bedard will handle, "outsmart" bigger NHLers who are out to get him.
And Richardson, a rugged NHL defenseman over 21 seasons, is confident Bedard will quickly adjust to the speed and physical demands of the world's top league as "hockey's next generational talent." The center has the skating, sense and, yes strength, to prosper against bigger NHL opponents who will be out to stop him, one way or another.
Subscribe to The Hockey News at thn.com/free and get a free special edition.That includes someone who may try to run Bedard.
"He's got the baby face, the young grin and the cool hairdo, but he's very mature beyond his years and he knows what's going on out there," Richardson said. "He's built really low, wide and very much like you'd describe a lot of Russian players skate – great balance on his feet.
"I think he's kind of wired where he knows how to bounce off people that are coming at him, kind of like a (Sidney) Crosby, and use that as a propellant," Richardson added. "I have all the confidence in the world for him to be outwitting and outsmarting his bigger opponents when it's one-on-one situations."
"Rocket" Bedard? Can bounce of opponents and use it as "propellant" like Sidney CrosbyBottom line: Richardson expects Bedard to jump into the NHL this season as a productive center.
It's Reichel's turn, too.
The Blackhawks coach also hopes Lukas Reichel, Chicago's first-round pick in 2020, will play a regular role in the middle and contribute at both ends of the ice.
Reichel, a wiry 21-year-old German, was the top prospect in the Blackhawks system before they drafted Bedard. He scored seven goals and 15 points in 23 games with the Blackhawks last season, showing flashes.
Reichel mostly worked in 2022-23 on building his game and confidence with Rockford of the AHL, where he had 20 goals and 51 points in 55 contests. The fleet 6-foot, 170-pound forward also applied his speed to master down-low defensive coverage as a center.
Richardson tried to reinforce that on Thursday's opening practice.
"I said, 'You know I liked our practice today. I thought you were skating strong. You looked confident'," Richardson relayed to reporters. "'But we want you to use your skill. Even defensively we want you to use your skill and your skills.'"
Richardson's goal for all Blackhawks skaters: Play defense "faster" to the get the puck back more quickly, especially for the likes of Bedard and Reichel.