Despite another down season, Connor Bedard still sees his future being with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Speaking with reporters Thursday following locker clean-out, Bedard reaffirmed his commitment to remain with the Blackhawks, telling Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times, “I love it here, and I have a great relationship with Kyle [Davidson] and everyone … I know that I want to be here for a long time.”
Eligible to sign an extension as soon as July 1, the sophomore forward closed out the 2024-25 season with 23 goals and 44 assists for 67 points, an undoubtedly solid showing but only a six-point uptick from his performance a year ago despite playing in 14 more games. In all, through two seasons with the Blackhawks, the first-round selection from the 2023 NHL Draft has totaled 128 points counting 45 goals and 83 assists in 150 career games.
“If I look a little sad on the bench, maybe people take it out of context … People that know me know I love to be here and really trust the direction we’re going,” Bedard added. “Hey, if you get the first-overall pick, you’re probably not winning the Cup the next two years. It’s an understanding of where you’re at … When you lose, it makes winning a lot sweeter once you get there, so we’re excited for that.”
The Blackhawks wrapped up the 2024-25 season sitting second-to-last in the NHL standings, sporting a 25-46-11 record and 61 points, giving the rebuilding squad a 13.5 percent chance of once again selecting first overall in the upcoming NHL Draft.
For Bedard, the focus now turns to offseason training, with the 19-year-old native of North Vancouver, B.C., telling Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio, “I don’t think I’m slow but probably kind of average speed. I’m not ever going to be [Nathan] MacKinnon or [Connor] McDavid or anyone like that, but if I can gain another step, it puts guys on their heels a little more and with the way I think the game that could be a huge plus for me and help me create more.”
