How Blackhawks' Connor Bedard Got His Groove Back
Photo credit: CNN
Connor Bedard has found his confidence and had a multi-point game against the New York Islanders on Thursday.
While they wouldn't be able to pull off a win against the Islanders, they would mount a great comeback, falling short by one goal.
The effort was noted, as Anders Sorensen's philosophy has given the Blackhawks a new life in the NHL.
In 30 games this year, he's scored 34 points( 6 G, 18 A), and you have to wonder about his mindset in the last two Blackhawks games.
Scott Powers delves into the mind of the former 1st overall pick in 2023.
Must feel pretty cool to score a goal like that one, the spectacularly uncool reporter notes.
«I don't know, I expect it from myself,» Bedard said. «Not necessarily the toe drag or whatever, but I expect to make plays and get myself into spots where I have the ability to get a shot off and score. It feels good to score, for sure. But I don't want to be surprised if I make a nice play. I expect to make nice plays.»
«I don't know, I expect it from myself,» Bedard said. «Not necessarily the toe drag or whatever, but I expect to make plays and get myself into spots where I have the ability to get a shot off and score. It feels good to score, for sure. But I don't want to be surprised if I make a nice play. I expect to make nice plays.»
Assistant Coach Derek King likened Bedard's play to riding a bicycle, and he emphasized just doing it. Not overthinking it.
«It's like riding a bike,» King said he told Bedard. «You're a skilled player, you don't lose that. So don't overthink it. Focus on little things, whether it's a good backcheck, or you laid a puck deep, or you blocked a shot, whatever it is for you. Just go play. Don't think about all the other things. You make a mistake - who cares? You come back to the bench, I'll yap at you, I'll tell you and I'll help you. But he's done a good job. He's starting to get his little groove back again and feeling it. Every player goes through it, I don't care how good you are.»
As someone from a skilled-trade back, it is all about building your confidence by doing it. Its by repetition, and Bedard's still building his confidence muscle in the NHL even after winning the Calder Trophy last season.
«I felt great the first 10 games, and then had a little stretch where I didn't feel great,» Bedard said. «But when I'm getting the puck - and for me, that's putting myself in good areas to get the puck, not cheating things - then I'm able to make plays and let my creativity take over. (Against the Islanders), I got the puck a lot in really good spots. That's the main thing for me.»
For now it sounds like he's getting back into the headspace heeds to continue producing points, and plays in the NHL.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 14 | 151 ANSWERS How Blackhawks' Connor Bedard Got His Groove Back Do you think center Connor Bedard has grown his confidence the last three games under interim coach Anders Sorensen of the Chicago Blackhawks? | ||
| Yes | 128 | 84.8 % |
| No | 23 | 15.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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