Connor Bedard points fingers at one specific reason for his lack of production this season

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Joshua Deeds
November 1, 2024 (5:43 PM)

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The Chicago Blackhawks should be grateful that they have trained Connor Bedardwell. Last season, he secured the rookie MVP in the NHL, the Calder Memorial Trophy.

Even with an injury he produced at a clip of 61 points in 68 games, and showed no signs of stopping. He'd go on to play in the IIHF with Team Canada, staying fresh during the offseason.

But the game has changed, as Bedard is in sophomore year in the NHL and has 9 points(3 G, 6 A) in 11 games.

He feels confident about the way he's playing now.

"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, and I feel like the game's slowed down a little bit from last year," Bedard told Bleacher Report. "I think that's positive."

His game appears to have slowed down as well, as he is trying to augment his two-way play in the NHL.

While Bedard has been painted as a generational talent, he was given exceptional status in the CHL at the age of 14. The 19-year-old is still going through growing pains in the NHL.

The Blackhawks have tried to contain Bedard's dedication to practice, by hiding his sticks, removing blades from skates, and locking him out of the rink. This was sapping his energy.

"... On one scheduled optional day, Bedard wanted to skate. Richardson thought Bedard needed rest, so he had the equipment staff hide Bedard's sticks in the coaches' room. Bedard is especially particular about his stick; his Sherwood features a 70 flex, its whippiness helps his signature release. 'So he has a choice to make,' Richardson said. 'Does he get out there with someone else's stick?'"

Bedard has had to make major adjustments so he can conserve energy when he needs to expend it, on game-time and team practices.

"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," Bedard said. "When you kind of know what it would take for you to be feeling like that, and everything, I think that's a huge bonus."

The Blackhawks will need Bedard to build chemistry with the new wingers in the building, like Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen, and Taylor Hall as they have said they're more competitive this season.

But a 3-7-1 record exposes how Bedard will need to take advantage of the slower game, to produce like he did last season.

Bedard in his sophomore year is just under a point-per-game at a .81 average points per game in his first 11 this season.

Will Connor score 80 or 90 points this season?