On one hand, that is the massive leagues. Each participant within the NHL is truthful recreation for criticism, and no one is above it — particularly in the event that they make unhealthy performs. However the singling out of Bedard within the Blackhawks scenario simply appears flawed.
The Blackhawks aren’t shedding as a result of Bedard has struggled with a number of the finer points of two-way hockey or as a result of he hasn’t been exhausting sufficient on pucks or opponents.
They stink and have unhealthy morale as a result of former common supervisor Stan Bowman did a foul job managing the wage cap and his roster earlier than he was compelled out in shame, and since present common supervisor Kyle Davidson appears to be in over his head. It is a unhealthy roster. A really unhealthy roster. It’s a roster that’s nonetheless in all probability years away from contending.
When Messier was in his second season within the NHL, he performed on an Oilers staff that had 5 future Corridor of Famers on it (Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri, Glenn Anderson, Paul Coffey and Kevin Lowe) and he was not anticipated to be the focus.
Bissonnette entered the NHL as a fighter on a staff that had Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on it, and no one anticipated something from him aside from to be a roster filler.
Bedard has nothing even remotely near any of that round him in Chicago proper now, whereas additionally carrying the expectation of being the franchise participant. He has largely met, if not exceeded, expectations.
Since getting into the NHL initially of the 2023-24 season, Bedard’s 107 whole factors are 45 greater than another participant on the Blackhawks rosters. He’s the one participant on the staff who’s a constant risk to supply, and the one participant who has been even value watching.
Additionally it is truthful to level out that he’s nonetheless the second-youngest participant in your entire NHL, forward of solely 2024 No. 1 general decide Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks).
There’s going to be an adjustment interval for him. There are going to be some rising pains. Particularly when the puck just isn’t on his stick. The actual fact the Blackhawks are relying on a participant that younger, with so little expertise, to be the participant they appear to for all-around play and dominance is a testomony to each how proficient he’s and the way unhealthy the remainder of the roster is.
He isn’t a whole participant but. However he additionally should not be anticipated to be one at this level. Most gamers his age are nonetheless enjoying junior hockey, faculty hockey or minor league hockey and aren’t wherever close to the NHL. The actual fact he’s within the NHL and scoring the best way he has been ought to be an enormous signal of encouragement for the Blackhawks.
There’s additionally loads to criticize about this Blackhawks staff and the group as a complete. It simply largely resides within the entrance workplace.
Bedard may be higher away from the puck. He additionally in all probability will likely be as he positive aspects extra expertise. The staff will also be higher in giving him some precise assistance on the ice.
