It’s not often that first overall draft picks for the NHL get compared to hockey legends like Sydney Crosby or Connor McDavid.
However, when center Connor Bedard was drafted No. 1 in June of 2023 to the Chicago Blackhawks, that was the case.
With so much hubbub around Bedard as a player, many were worried about the pressure it would place on the young athlete.
“Any young player, I’m sure there’s going to be a running effort to prove himself and to justify the interest and the expectation there,” Chicago General Manager Kyle Davidson said in an NHL article from 2023, “But we’re not going to put any pressure on him, we’ll just let him figure that out and let him figure out the NHL level as well.”
Fast forward to 2025, Bedard has been a catalyst for the Blackhawks; despite the team still not being able to cross the threshold into playoff contention.
In his first two seasons playing professionally, the 5-foot-10 North Vancouver native has amassed 45 goals and 83 assists. Not to mention, he also took home the Calder Trophy (the NHL’s rookie of the year award) in 2024.
With a stat line like that, it would make sense that Davidson would want to keep Bedard in the franchise.
Come July 1, 2026, Bedard will become an unrestricted free agent, as his three-year entry level contract will soon come to a close.
As far as negotiations between Bedard and the franchise are concerned, they are both secure with where they are right now.
“We’re both comfortable with where we’re at. They know I want to be there; I know they want me. So, it’s really not on my mind that much, and I just think when it happens, it’ll happen,” Bedard said in an article from the NHL Media tour.
Although the team has placed second to last in the league standings two times over Bedard’s tenure, they may turn over a new leaf this season.
The franchise is adding a new head coach this season, Jeff Blashill, as well as a batch of younger players including Oliver Moore, Sam Rinzel, Artyom Levshunov and Frank Nazar.
“We had a lot of guys come up last year and make big steps and make a difference. Obviously, we’re going to be young, and that’s exciting. I think we’re all going to be growing up together and going through the fight together,” Bedard said to an article from the NHL. “I love our group. I’m pumped to get going.”