Connor Bedard, the No. 1 pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Draft, has taken the NHL by storm 11 weeks into his professional career. Each Monday, NHL.com will take a look at what Bedard has done and what's ahead for him with the Connor Bedard watch.
WHAT HE'S DONE
Bedard leads NHL rookies and the Blackhawks with 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 33 games. He became ninth 18-year-old rookie in NHL history to reach 30 points in 33 or fewer games. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (28 games) and Sidney Crosby (29 games) are the two other active players to do so. Bedard added to his personal highlight reel when he scored a lacrosse-style goal in the Blackhawks' 7-5 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. He is on a four-game point streak (one goal, five assists), which includes two assists against the Vancouver Canucks on Dec. 17 and two assists the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.
WHAT’S AHEAD THIS WEEK
The Blackhawks have two games coming out of the Christmas break. They host the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday (9 p.m. ET; NBCSCH, TSN3), then play at the Dallas Stars on Friday (8 p.m. ET; BSSW, NBCSCH, SNP, SNW, SNE). It will be the Blackhawks' first game against the Stars this season.
MOST INTRIGUING MATCHUP
Bedard vs. Robertson
Two of the best young scorers in the League? Yes, please. Robertson, a finalist for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year in 2020-21, entered the Christmas break with 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists), tied for the Stars lead with linemate Joe Pavelski (13 goals, 18 assists). The 24-year-old left wing had an NHL career-high 109 points (46 goals, 63 assists) in 82 games last season and continues to find great chemistry with Pavelski and center Roope Hintz, who have comprised the Stars' top line for three seasons.
MOST ANTICIPATED GAME
Blackhawks vs. Jets
It will be the second time the teams play after Winnipeg defeated Chicago 3-1 on Dec. 2. In that game, Bedard scored the Blackhawks' lone goal and was 4-for-8 on face-offs in 20:08 of ice time. So how does he fare this time around, with the Blackhawks getting last change and the matchups they want? That remains to be seen, but the Blackhawks will have their work cut out for them. The Jets entered the Christmas break 8-1-1 in their past 10 games, including a 5-1 win against the Atlantic Division-leading Boston Bruins on Friday.
EDGE STAT OF THE WEEK
Bedard continues to be one of the most assertive, and productive, players in the NHL from the mid-range in the offensive zone; he ranks in the 98th percentile among all players with seven goals and 54 shots on goal from that area. He also continues to cover a lot of ice, averaging 10.31 miles per 60 minutes, which ranks in the 92nd percentile. His top game was 3.48 miles against the Nashville Predators on Dec. 5, a total that ranks in the 89th percentile.
THEY SAID IT
"I think maybe the big thing is carrying the puck, maybe entries and stuff through the neutral zone, I think has gotten better. Just feeling more comfortable being able to do stuff like that, and in the games, probably feeling more comfortable now than I did in those first few." -- Connor Bedard, on how he's improved throughout the season.
