The Coyotes and Blackhawks Matchup Should Deliver An Exciting Bout Between Cooley and Bedard

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Joshua Deeds
October 28, 2023 (6:19 PM)

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There will be a lot of excitement for Chicago Blackhawks fans on Monday night, as we witness the beginning of a new rivalry. It'll be between two-round picks in Logan Cooley and the Hawks' own Connor Bedard.

The routes taken by Bedard and Cooley to the NHL were different, as Bedard played in the WHL and Regina St. Pat's with a 143-point season before being drafted by the Blackhawks. Cooley tallied 60 points in 51 games with the US NDTP. Cooley impressed with another 60-point season in Minnesota, along with a Hobey Baker Award nomination.

It is thought that these two will be battling for the Calder Trophy this season, and that is only one narrative behind this matchup.

Cooley, a big Sidney Crosby fan, like Connor Bedard, has lived and breathed hockey from a young age.

There is a possibility that this battle will be between two future superstars, like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin's rivalry before them.

A primary focus of these youngsters is the Calder Trophy, so it's important to establish dominance early.

Despite Bedard's early success, he is still adjusting to the NHL, and that can also be said for Cooley. Despite the fact that both are already producing for the clubs that drafted them, Cooley seems to be steadily moving up the ranks, currently in the top six as a 2nd line center with power-play responsibility.

While Cooley may have the better supporting cast overall, the Coyotes have the depth needed to ease a rookie into the league.

On Monday, however, the Coyotes will have to watch out for Corey Perry, Philipp Kurashev, Arvid Soderblom, and Nick Foligno. These four players will give them a good fight.

It'll be exciting to see who wins game 1 of their first bout.