Connor Bedard is not going through a sophomore slump, but his second season in the NHL has had more tough games than successful ones, reflected in the team’s record.
On Wednesday, the Chicago Blackhawks lost 4-3 in overtime to the Edmonton Oilers. Bedard had an assist during the loss, but it was his mistakes, like giving up the puck and making soft passes, that caught the attention of the NHL on TNT panel. They criticized the 19-year-old, accusing him of playing “pond hockey.”
“I think his game has to evolve, continue to evolve,” said TNT analyst and former NHL player Anson Carter. “We know he can put up points. But it’s winning hockey. That’s what the Chicago Blackhawks want to see out of that young centerman.”
Bedard, who led all rookies with 22 goals and 61 points last year, has scored 15 goals and 46 points in 53 games this season. He is tied for 44th in league scoring. However, his defensive play has been a concern, which is why he was left off Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off roster, while the Blackhawks hold the second-worst record in the NHL.
“Sometimes I see him continue to try things that aren’t going to work at the NHL level, like soft plays that are going to get picked off and go the other way,” said TNT analyst and former NHL player Paul Bissonnette. “As much good as he does, he doesn’t always do great things.”
Connor Bedard (NHL)It’s important to remember that Bedard is still one of the youngest players in the NHL. The struggles he’s facing are typical for a teenager playing on a rebuilding Blackhawks team, which just traded away one of its top players, Taylor Hall.
However, for the Blackhawks to improve, Bedard will need to become more responsible for the parts of the game that don’t always show up on the scoresheet or in highlight reels.
Bedard has a minus-23 rating, which is the seventh-worst in the NHL (though it’s only the third-worst among Chicago players). Among forwards, he is tied for 41st with 52 giveaways. His face-off win percentage of 34.7% is outside the top 150 among centers who have played at least 42 games.
Until these areas improve, Chicago is unlikely to be in playoff contention, and Bedard may not make Canada’s Olympic roster for 2026.
“There are so many little details to his game that he’s lacking right now,” said Bissonnette. “Yes, he might put up 30 to 35 goals a season and get his 50 to 55 assists by playing power play and getting all these minutes, but they’re going to continue to lose hockey games if that’s how he’s playing.
“That is pond hockey.”
