NHL Analyst Mark Messier's Reactionary Call To Bench Blackhawks' Bedard Shocks Fans

Mark Messier knows how to win Stanley Cups in the NHL, as he's won six of them with the Edmonton Oilers, and New York Rangers.

Nowadays, since his retirement from the game, he lends his analysis to the NHL via ESPN.

This weekend he and P.K. Subban were covering the Blackhawks game, and thought that superstar Connor Bedard performed poorly against the Florida Panthers.

Messier would call out both Anders Sorensen and Connor Bedard with a perspective that sounds like it came out of John Tortorella's mouth.

Given the time frame, both coached and played in the sport of hockey you have to factor that in.

He'd take a shot at Bedard's defensive game, as Sam Reinhart had scored a goal against the 2023 1st overall pick. Instead of being rewarded with time on the power-play, he felt that Anders Sorensen should have benched him.

Bedard unfortunately lose a stick battle on the backend with Reinhart, and let the Panthers take a 2-1 lead over the Hawks. Messier thought the lack of defensive play by Bedard destroyed the team's morale.

He felt Bedard should be producing at a level we only see Leon Draisaitl produce at, and thought after his one poor play he should be benched on the power play--when the Hawks need him the most.

While his critique of Bedard's lack of 200-foot play isn't wrong, Bedard is still developing and shouldn't be taken off the power play for just one mistake.

While we respect Messier's contributions to the league, as a six-time Stanley Cup champion, his mentality is stuck in the 80s and 90s.

You shouldn't bench generational talent; instead, you build on his efforts and reward him for great work on the ice.

Bedard would finish the game with a -1, 3 shots on goal, 1 takeaway, 20 shifts, and 21:10 time on ice.

While he didn't produce a point, he did backcheck with 1 takeaway.