The Quest for Connor Bedard’s Breakout
As the Blackhawks enter the second year of the Connor Bedard era, fans are left wondering what’s holding back the talented young player from reaching his full potential. With 13 points in 16 games, Bedard’s stats are respectable, but not quite what the team had envisioned when they drafted him.
The Search for Chemistry
The coaching staff has tried various line combinations to spark Bedard’s production, pairing him with Bertuzzi, Reichel, Hall, Donato, Foligno, and Teravainen. Unfortunately, none of these pairings have yielded the desired results. The Blackhawks need Bedard to become a top 10 scorer in the NHL, and his current pace is falling short.
Puck Luck and Positioning
Bedard’s shooting percentage has taken a hit, dropping from 10.7% last year to a mere 5.8% this season. While some of this can be attributed to bad luck, his recent games have been concerning, with underlying numbers trending in the wrong direction. The team needs to find ways to get Bedard producing against elite opponents.
A New Role for Bedard?
Playing center in the NHL comes with more defensive responsibility, less space, and harder areas to navigate. Perhaps Bedard’s talents would be better utilized on the wing, where he could focus on attacking and cheating a little leaving the zone. This could give him more space to operate and allow him to play more freely.
Drawing Inspiration from Nikita Kucherov
Kucherov’s success on the right side is a model worth exploring. With his great play-making, high-end shot, and edge work, Bedard could thrive in a similar role. By manipulating defenders and creating lanes, Bedard could become a dominant force on the ice.
The Center Conundrum
The obvious challenge to moving Bedard to the wing is the Blackhawks’ lack of centers. In the short term, Dickinson can fill the role, but Reichel, Kurashev, Foligno, and Donato are also options. It may not be ideal, but unleashing Bedard’s offensive potential is worth the sacrifice.
A New Lineup Experiment
Here’s a proposed lineup to get Bedard going:
- Bedard-Dickinson-Teravainen
- Hall-Kurashev-Bertuzzi
- Anderson/Mikheyev-Foligno-Donato
- Maroon-Reichel-Smith
It’s time to experiment and find new ways to get the most out of Bedard and the rest of the team. By trying different line combinations and roles, the Blackhawks can uncover hidden strengths and plan for a brighter future.
Leave a Reply