A new era has arrived with Connor Bedard in Chicago! What a time to be alive and a fan of hockey. The hype around this kid is bananas and frankly have no idea how he’s able to cope with it all, with everyone treating him like a zoo animal.
This picture is genuinely absurd. Especially when you consider the context – this is a pregame media availability for an 18-year-old kid yet to play a shift in the NHL.
How about my man in the way back? Working smarter not harder. It looks like he came straight from some sort of rock climbing expedition, but I respect the ingenuity. I also love the grave expression on the woman’s face directly next to Bedard. She’s looking at him like he’s about to declare the world is on fire, instead of a cookie cutter “yeahhhhh I’m just gonna play my game” answer.
The media is having a full blown field day with Bedard coverage, but you kind of can’t blame them. The NHL has taken heat for years that they don’t market their stars, so now they’re going overboard. Touché.
I will say, the sit-down interview with Bedard and Sidney Crosby, both in full gear, where they had Bedard ask Crosby what it’s gonna be like for him (???) to play against Bedard in his debut was all-time cringe. Both guys looked pretty uncomfortable.
(The clip isn’t available yet to plug here, but it’s only a matter of time before ESPN blasts it out on every platform. That’s only if they’re unsuccessful in getting it downloaded to every iPhone in America first.)
Superhero Origins
I’ve noticed he’s danced around the “what do you do outside of hockey?” question several times. He said he likes to play other sports, hang out with family/friends and is getting into cooking. I don’t buy it. This guy is all hockey, all the time, since the day he could walk.
Some reporters had some fun with him when they discovered he doesn’t actually cook too much, it was just something to say on the podium.
It can be objectively hilarious sometimes watching him answer to the media. He’s just a kid from Canada who likes hockey and everyone is losing their minds.
It’s all for good reason though, because regardless of his age, Bedard is a generational talent. He’s not one of those #1 overall picks where you wonder what kind of player he can be. You know he’s going to excel.
He’s extremely deceptive with a lethal shot, great vision and a strong frame. Up until this point, Bedard has been a human highlight reel at the junior level for a while now.
The skill level blows my mind. It almost feels like this is a flawlessly orchestrated social experiment to see just how skilled a young player can be. A hockey cyborg.
The cyborg also has his own superhero origin story of sorts, like the spider biting Peter Parker before he was Spiderman. Bedard broke his wrist and then used it as an opportunity to springboard his career.
The Debut
The night started off with some humor, as Bedard got caught looking like a deer in the headlights prior to puck drop. He’s human!
Later, a Blackhawks insider explained he actually didn’t forget his stick, it was merely a mishap related to a pregame ritual. If you’re confused, I am too.
Bedard had a couple nice plays in the 1st period but nothing to write home about. The nerves started to subside and he played with some more mojo as the game progressed. The respect he already commands from the defense with the puck on his stick is astounding. In the 2nd period, he picked up his first NHL point assisting on Ryan Donato’s goal.
All of a sudden, Chicago picked up steam in the 3rd period and completely took control of the game. They scored the equalizer, the go ahead goal and an empty netter to seal the victory. Petr Mrázek came up with some huge stops as well. Tough loss for the Penguins on home ice to start the year, but what a moment for Bedard.
He finished the night with the assist, 5 shots on goal, a few takeaways and a stunning 10 shot attempts through 2 periods. The shooting mentality right out of the gate was electric to watch and I’m impressed with the fact he led all forwards in ice time too. Straight into the fire and he came out victorious.
Bedard struggled in the faceoff dot, going 2 for 11 on draws but that aspect of the game will come. Crosby himself struggled in that department off the jump, along with many other formidable faceoff guys that come to mind.
Mark Messier astutely pointed out during intermission that Bedard will always be against stiff competition, opposing the other team’s top line center nearly every night. You can’t deny the talent, but there will inevitably be growing pains based on who he’s up against. You would think, right?
Good For The Business Of Hockey
Maybe I’m biased, maybe it’s old school thinking, but I feel like heritage never goes out of style in the hockey world. For Bedard to go to an “Original Six” franchise in the Chicago Blackhawks, it’s a blessing for the sport in so many different ways.
The rabid hockey market of Chicago is already gobbling this up, but there’s reason to believe he can attract more fans to the game. He’s an otherworldly talent in a huge market and only just getting started. If the NHL can’t grow the game through Bedard, I’m not sure they ever will.
He’s shown flashes of a fun personality and appears more than willing to cooperate with the media and have some laughs, which is extremely rare for pro hockey players. It’s gonna be fascinating to see it all play out.
The NHL has never been more skilled and it feels like the game is in a great place. I’m fired up about it. Get used to hearing the name, Connor Bedard has officially arrived!
geryblogs 
Leave a comment