Former NHL veteran calls out Chicago Blackhawks' star rookie Connor Bedard and his captaincy

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Joshua Deeds
August 25, 2024 (4:53 PM)

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While it's understood that the de-facto Captain of the Blackhawks, is Nick Foligno there remains discussion of other candidates.

One of which is superstar, Connor Bedard who has been in discussions about getting the "C" placed on his jersey soon. However, former NHL defenseman Shane O'Brian thinks it's a bad idea to place the Captaincy on Bedard.

O'Brien thinks naming Bedard Captain at 19 years old is a bad idea:

«There is a rumor that they are thinking about making him the captain this year, as a 19-year-old, I think it is a bad idea, personally Do you think this is a good idea to give him the captaincy at this young of an age? They did it with Gabriel Landeskog in Colorado and it's worked out great obviously, I just think he's too young,» O'Brien said on his Missin Curfew podcast.

Bedard being named Captain of the Blackhawks at age 19 isn't a new phenomenon, as Sidney Crosby, Gabriel Landeskog, Connor McDavid, Brian Bellows, and Vincent LeClavier earned Captaincies at the same age in the NHL.

Bedard won the Calder Trophy and scored 61 points in 68 games, leading the Blackhawks in his first season in the NHL.

However, his co-host Scottie Upshall believes that Bedard is right to be named Captain of the Blackhawks.

Upshall believes naming him Captain would be fit for his development path as a leader in the Blackhawks organization and no one else in the room could be captain.

«The new young players that wear their heart on their sleeve that are high draft picks, their generational players, guys that are going to be there forever. Give them the captaincy, let them start to be responsible for leadership roles, meting the coaches, and speaking on behalf of the team. Do I think Connor Bedard has it in him at this young of an age? You are not born to be that good of a hockey player and not carry some leadership qualities,» Upshall responded.

«So, at some point, I think he is the captain. If now is the time, jersey sales go through the roof, is there another guy in the room you want to wear the C before him? I don't think so. So, I think it is a great move, it creates some excitement for the team, and you tell him you are our guy,» Upshall added.

Source: Heavy
Former NHLer Explains Why It's a �Bad Idea' if Blackhawks Name Bedard Captain