Jeff Blashill gets real on Connor Bedard’s “next level” performance
The The Chicago Blackhawks are showing some signs of improvement this season. Jeff Blashill has this team playing promising hockey in its first season. And the main reason for that, as many expected a year ago, is the cornerstone of the Connor Bedard franchise.
Bedard is a former first pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. He had a promising rookie season, leading the team in points. He will lead the team in points again in 2024-25. However, the Blackhawks star struggled at times during the year. He wasn’t bad by any means, but the season was certainly not easy.
However, in 2025-26. came to life. He currently leads the Blackhawks with 18 goals and 39 points in 27 games. Bedard is fourth in the NHL in points. He trails only Maclin Celebrini, Connor McDavid and Nathan McKinnon. Some wondered if this run was just a hot start, but head coach Jeff Blashill disagreed.
“He obviously took a big step this year to the next level,” Blashill he said of his franchise starvia The Athletic. “It’s not a good start for me; it kind of is. We see it every night. He’s doing it in different ways, getting opportunities in different ways, and also setting up a lot of guys. He could have more points, to be honest. It’s just been a good maturation process.”
Bedard’s play also helped Chicago’s overall performance. At the moment, they hold the last Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. They are at the top of the playoffs, as the season enters its third month. if things continue, Bedard might be able to take home some hardware for his play in 2025-26.
2025-12-06 06:11:00
