After all the build-up, all the hype, the puck will finally drop on the Connor Bedard Era on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh. Connor Bedard at practice in Chicago on Monday [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxMzc4MjE0Mjg1NzQ4MTk3/img_5870-2.jpg] Connor Bedard at practice in Chicago on Monday Bedard, the NHL's top draft pick of 2023, will center a line with new dad Taylor Hall on the left wing and Ryan Donato on the right as the Chicago Blackhawks face the Penguins in the teams' 2023-24 season openers. We'll see if Bedard is on the ice for the opening faceoff. Regardless, the 18-year-old forward's first shift is something he has long been groomed to live out. The child star — the NHL's long-heralded next generational talent — from North Vancouver, British Columbia will finally skate on the big stage for real. "It’s hard to kind of think about and realize that, you know, it’s true," a wide-eyed Bedard said after practice in Chicago on Monday. "But it's really exciting." (See video below.) Connor Bedard said he's ready for his NHL debut, in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, after preparing over the summer. The game will count. The stats will count. All eyes will be on Bedard's every move, even if some some of the ones that worked in junior hockey won't in the NHL. The real measure: How will he adjust? Odds are Bedard, will be a quick study and figure it out in a hurry. He's ready to get down to business, after a quick huff of hoopla on Tuesday. "It's a big moment" Bedard said. "And in the end, kind of for me, it's taking the anthem and obviously their player announcements, and then warm up and having that kind of be like the 'Oh my God' moment, I think. "And then once the game starts, I want to be focused on the game and not kind of be starstruck as much. But really think that first bit's going to be pretty crazy." Bedard thinks he's as ready as he can be "You never know what to expect, but over the summer I feel like I've worked as hard as I possibly could to prepare myself," Bedard said. "I think for me, it's kind of letting instincts take over." (See video below.) Connor Bedard talks about how's he's preparing himself for the start of his first NHL game, Tuesday in Pittsburgh. Adding to the moment for Bedard: He'll play his first NHL game against future Hall-of-Famer Sidney Crosby, a star he's admired and been compared to. Bedard looked up to Sidney Crosby. He's been compared to him, too. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwODkyMjU1Mzc5MTM3NzQw/udeeebfemckzp8yvuosj.jpg] Bedard looked up to Sidney Crosby. He's been compared to him, too. "Growing up, he was obviously my favorite player and to start off it's pretty sweet," Bedard said. "He's been in the spotlight for almost 20 years now and seems to handle it so well. So I think that's something that, you know, is really easy to look up to." FULL ROSTER The Blackhawks opening night roster includes 23 players — 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies. Petr Mrazek will start in nets on Tuesday and Arvid Söderlblom will play on Wednesday in Boston. Forwards: Andreas Athanasiou, Connor Bedard, Jason Dickinson, Ryan Donato, MacKenzie Entwistle, Nick Foligno, Cole Guttman, Taylor Hall, Reese Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Boris Katchouk, Corey Perry, Taylor Raddysh and Lukas Reichel. Defensemen: Seth Jones, Wyatt Kaiser, Kevin Korchinski, Connor Murphy, Jarred Tinordi, Alex Vlasic and Nikita Zaitsev. Injuries: Forward Philipp Kurashev (left wrist) will begin the season on injured reserve (retroactive to Sept. 28). Forwards Colin Blackwell (lower body), Colton Dach (right ankle), Luke Philp (right Achilles tendon) and Samuel Savoie (right femur) will begin the season with an injured/non-roster designation. THE LINES AND PAIRINGS Bedard's linemate and new dad Taylor Hall talks to reporters on Monday [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxMzc4MjE0Mjg1NjgyNjYx/img_5873.jpg] Bedard's linemate and new dad Taylor Hall talks to reporters on Monday F1. Hall-Bedard-Donato F2. T.Johnson-Reichel-Raddysh F3.Foligno-Dickinson-Perry. F4.Katchouk-Guttman-Athanasiou. Extras: Entwistle, R.Johnson. D1. Vlasic-Jones. D2. Korchinski-Murphy D3. Tinordi-Kaiser. Extra: Zaitsev Notes: The Blackhawks returned assigned physical, 6-foot 3 defenseman Isaak Phillips to AHL Rockford on Monday... Hall's first child, a son, was born in Chicago on Sunday morning. Although Hall said it "was a long process," the 31-year-old forward said he was "excited to be back with the team and excited for the trip" that will take him back to Boston. The Bruins traded the former Hart Trophy winner with the rights to Nick Foligno to Chicago on June 26, two days before the Blackhawks drafted Bedard.
