Is it really a surprise? The Chicago Blackhawks' Connor Bedard takes home November's Rookie of the Month honors after scoring 12 points in 12 games (6-6) throughout the month.
His standout moment came in a four-point performance against Tampa Bay, contributing to a 5-3 win on November 9. In the subsequent game against the Florida Panthers, Bedard continued his impressive form with a two-goal display, showcasing skill as he stripped the puck and swiftly roofed it past Sergei Bobrovsky.
While Bedard's point-per-game pace has slowed, he has already reached double digits in goals and accumulated 18 points in 21 games. At 18, he draws attention from every team, facing off against their top players.
Bedard's contributions align closely with Auston Matthews' rookie season, and upcoming analysis will explore how he compares to Sidney Crosby's rookie campaign. Despite the Blackhawks' 7-14 record this season, Bedard has been a significant offensive force, accounting for 18.5% of the team's goals and 12.8% of their overall point output.
Heading into December and January with a more consistent schedule, playing every other night or on consecutive nights, teams are adapting their strategies to limit Bedard's space.
Yet, it appears only a matter of time before his impact becomes irrelevant, especially if the Blackhawks continue to see progress with their prospects. While the future holds promise, the present with Connor Bedard looks bright.
POLL | ||
Do you think Bedard will become the Blackhawks next captain? | ||
Yes | 139 | 65.6 % |
No | 73 | 34.4 % |
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