Key Takeaways
- Connor Bedard, the 20-year-old centre for the Chicago Blackhawks, was left off Canada’s roster for the upcoming Winter Olympics due to a shoulder injury.
- Despite his injury, Bedard’s coach, Jeff Blashill, praises his all-around game and believes he has become a true two-way winning hockey player.
- Bedard has shown significant improvement in his defensive skills, with a plus-minus rating of plus-eight this season, and has won 47% of his faceoffs.
- The Blackhawks have struggled without Bedard, going 1-6-1 since his injury, and are also dealing with injuries to other key players, including Frank Nazar and Jason Dickinson.
- Blashill believes that Bedard’s skills are underestimated by the rest of the league, and that he has become a crucial part of the Blackhawks’ team.
Introduction to Connor Bedard’s Situation
The Chicago Blackhawks have been dealing with a string of injuries to key players, including their young centre, Connor Bedard. Bedard, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, has been on injured reserve with a shoulder injury since December 12. Despite his injury, Bedard’s coach, Jeff Blashill, has been praising his all-around game, believing that he has become a true two-way winning hockey player. This praise comes after Bedard was left off Canada’s roster for the upcoming Winter Olympics, a decision that was likely influenced by his injury.
Bedard’s Improvement and Impact on the Team
Bedard has shown significant improvement in his defensive skills, with a plus-minus rating of plus-eight this season, a major turnaround from his first two years in the league, where he had a rating of minus-80. He has also won 47% of his faceoffs, up from 38.3% last season. Blashill believes that Bedard’s skills are underestimated by the rest of the league, and that he has become a crucial part of the Blackhawks’ team. The team’s performance without Bedard has been lackluster, going 1-6-1 since his injury, which highlights the impact he has on the team. As Blashill noted, "That’s the impact he’s had. That’s the type of two-way player (he is). You don’t have that impact if you’re just a point-getter. You only have that impact if you’re a true two-way kind of winning player, and that’s what he’s become."
Injuries to Other Key Players
The Blackhawks are not only dealing with Bedard’s injury but also with injuries to other key players. Frank Nazar, another centre, was placed on injured reserve on Sunday after he was hit in the face by a puck during a game against Ottawa. He is expected to be sidelined for approximately four weeks. Jason Dickinson, another centre, left Tuesday night’s game against the New York Islanders with an unspecified injury but skated on Thursday morning and could play against the Dallas Stars. These injuries have put a strain on the team, and Blashill will have to find ways to adapt and make do with the players he has available.
Blashill’s Praise for Bedard
Blashill’s praise for Bedard is not limited to his on-ice performance. He also believes that Bedard has become a leader on the team and that his absence has been felt. As he noted, "I don’t think the rest of the league knows how good of a two-way winning hockey player Connor has become." Blashill’s comments suggest that Bedard has made significant strides in his development as a player and that he is now a crucial part of the team. Despite being left off Canada’s roster for the Olympics, Bedard’s future looks bright, and he is expected to make a significant impact on the Blackhawks when he returns from his injury.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
In conclusion, Connor Bedard’s injury has been a significant blow to the Chicago Blackhawks, but his coach, Jeff Blashill, believes that he has become a true two-way winning hockey player. Bedard’s improvement in his defensive skills and his impact on the team have been notable, and he is expected to make a significant contribution when he returns from his injury. The Blackhawks will have to navigate the challenges of playing without Bedard and other injured players, but with Blashill’s guidance, they should be able to adapt and find ways to win. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Bedard’s development continues and how he fits into the team’s plans for the future.