Connor Bedard Is The New Captain Of The Chicago Blackhawks
Good news to start training camp. Connor Bedard is the new captain of the Chicago Blackhawks and he absolutely earned it.
The transformation from year 2 to year 3 of his career was incredible to watch. I don't know what happened in the summer of 2025, but the kid changed everything. Changed his skating, changed the way he competes on the ice, and became the leader that the Blackhawks needed for this era. This isn't a prince that was promised situation. The organization simply didn't slap the captaincy on it's best player. Bedard earned the C. That to me is the best part about this. He's the right captain at the right time. Then on top of all the personal development, Bedard showed how dedicated he is to the organization with the contract he signed. Well below the market set by Carlsson and if he sat there and demanded more than Carlsson the organization absolutely would've given it to him and I wouldn't have blamed him for that at all. He set money aside for teammates who are going to need extensions in the coming years. And perhaps set the precedent of taking a little less to keep this thing going. There's a line from Michael Jordan in "The Last Dance" where MJ says that he never asked his teammates to do something that he wouldn't do himself. Bedard doing that by example. The off-ice work, the offseason work, the attitude on the ice, and the contract. That's why he's the captain. It's a good day for the Blackhawks and a good day for Connor Bedard.
Now we head into a new era. The rebuild, for all intents and purposes, is over. Now we go. I think the two big offseason acquisitions should fill out the leadership trio
Face of the franchise and best player.
Veteran legend.
Best defenseman in his prime.
That's pretty good right there. Borderline perfect if you ask me. Now everyone else can just play and get in line.
The comments to this tweet don't believe, but I do. There's a path for the Blackhawks this year.
The Blackhawks finished with 72 points. That was 18 points off the LA Kings who were the final wild card team. After the deadline the Blackhawks went to shit. They went 2-7-1 in their last 10. Bedard missed significant time with the injury and when he came back quickly he wasn't really himself. Guy couldn't even take faceoffs but he was out there. Nazar missed time. The Blackhawks power play was ranked 29th at 16.9%. You add Byram and Patrick Kane to that top unit with a healthy Bedard and it's a barstoolChief guarantee that the PP jumps to 22%. The Blackhawks were 7-14 in 3 on 3 OT and 3-5 in the shootout. There's points to be had without assuming growth from the young guys…but I am assuming growth. I think Byram and Ian Cole both really help the young D. Frondell for a full year helps. Kantserov adds secondary scoring punch they haven't had in a while. Nazar finishes with more consistency. The 4th line is going to be heavier and harder to play against. There's a gleam. It's all right there. Get your CHSN package. Our winter is booked.
