The pace picked up and play tightened up in the Chicago Blackhawks' scrimmage on Tuesday. Top 2023 draft pick Connor Bedard was a little less visible in a group of players who are on the shortlist to skate in Chicago’s first preseason game on Thursday against St. Louis. Blachawks coach Luke Richardson is ready for exhibition games to start. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwOTkyNjk1ODczNzA5NDU3/23_09_22_media_availability_luke-richardson-1.jpg] Blachawks coach Luke Richardson is ready for exhibition games to start. Bedard again centered a line with Taylor Hall and Ryan Donato on the wings on a Red Team. Lukas Reichel returned between Andreas Athanasiou and Philipp Kurashev on a speedy trio for a White Squad. The White Team won the two-period scrimmage, 6-3. “I think the players liked it,” coach Luke Richardson said. “They were on the ice in a routine a little more like a real game. “Today was definitely a step higher in pace, so it was a good example for all the young guys that are in there for the first time.” Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard and his linemates don't touch the puck much in this shift from Chicago's scrimmage on Tuesday. Bedard, Hall and Donato faced some real resistance and didn’t quite dominate. Their time with the puck was limited by teammates who are hunting for jobs. Richardson said he still saw “good chemistry” as Bedard sprang Hall a couple of times with breakaways early. The 31-year-old Hall didn’t score… and neither did Bedard in the session. Bedard did, however, persist past defenseman Nolan Allan on right wing and set up Donato for a tap-in goal. See the link via X/Twitter from Scott Powers: https://x.com/ByScottPowers/status/1706702034903134566?s=20 [https://x.com/ByScottPowers/status/1706702034903134566?s=20] “They almost broke free a couple of times in the first half,” Richardson said. “I expect more of that and excited to see it in a real game.” Richardson has not yet confirmed that Bedard will skate against the Blues at the United Center in the first of Chicago’s six exhibition games. READY TO GO The Blackhawks will address special teams play on Wednesday in practice before hosting the Blues on Thursday. Richardson said his players and coaching staff are chomping at the bit to play an exhibitions contest. “We’re at the point where we want to see games as well,” Richardson said Chicago's second-year coach added the Blackhawks' slate of six preseason contests is plenty. “I think some teams load up and and have eight, nine exhibition games,”Richardson said. “That’s way too much.” Among other things, it complicates roster management. “You gotta’ keep more guys around because you gotta’ have more bodies to compete in those games,” he said.
