Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard has approached the start of his second NHL season with a renewed sense of comfort and understanding of the pace of play. The 2024 No. 1 overall draft pick, who previously captured the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie, expressed a positive outlook heading into the 2024-25 season. In a recent interview, Bedard shared his thoughts on the adjustments he has made since last year, stating, 'I maybe haven't been producing at a crazy level, but I feel like I'm creating a lot of opportunities for myself and everyone. The game's slowed down a little bit from last year, and I think that's positive.'
Despite being heralded as a potential generational talent since he received exceptional status to join the WHL at age 14, Bedard has experienced growing pains throughout his inaugural NHL season. One notable hurdle was finding the appropriate balance in his practice routine. Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson previously noted that he had to intervene by hiding Bedard's sticks during optional practices to encourage him to rest. As he enters his second year, Bedard has adapted to a practice schedule that helps him maintain the energy required for the high-intensity demands of the NHL. 'Now I'm here a few years, you kind of have your routine and stuff down, and you know what you got to do to feel good,' he remarked.
The Blackhawks' roster has also undergone significant changes since last season, with the team bidding farewell to players like Taylor Raddysh and MacKenzie Entwistle in free agency, while bringing in experienced veterans such as Patrick Maroon and Tyler Bertuzzi. Bedard has embraced the influx of new talent, saying, 'All the new guys have been great, and we’ve brought a lot in. It’s fun to build some new relationships.' One of the key additions this offseason is winger Teuvo Teräväinen, a member of the Blackhawks' 2015 Stanley Cup-winning team who recently signed after eight years with the Carolina Hurricanes. Bedard and Teräväinen have developed an effective offensive partnership, contributing to the team's early performances as they seek to improve on last season's struggles.
