The swagger was back. When Connor Bedard walked into a small conference room at the Waldorf Astoria during the NHL Player Media Tour in Las Vegas, you could feel it, a sense that something big was coming. The 20-year-old Chicago Blackhawks forward, fresh off a challenging sophomore season, seemed relaxed, confident, and ready to prove that his breakout year is just around the corner.
Bedard joked with reporters about running the team’s fantasy football league, teased teammate Frank Nazar, and carried himself like someone who had finally found balance between expectation and enjoyment. The “generational talent” label hasn’t been easy to live up to, but Bedard seems to be embracing both the challenge and the journey.
Connor Bedard finding his footing after a rocky sophomore season
When Connor Bedard burst onto the scene in 2023 as the first overall pick, expectations were sky-high. And while his rookie year, shortened by a broken jaw, still earned him the Calder Trophy and impressive scoring numbers, Year 2 didn’t quite meet the hype.
He played all 82 games in his second season but managed only one more goal and six more points than his rookie campaign. His underlying numbers dipped, too, fewer shots, fewer scoring chances, and a noticeable drop in 5-on-5 production. There was even a frustrating 12-game goal drought.
But rather than crumble under pressure, Bedard used that year as a learning experience.
“I think you’ve just got to play,” Bedard said during media availability. “We’ve been playing since we were four or five years old. I’ve always loved the game, and I don’t think that should change once you get to the NHL. It’s more attention and pressure, but it’s still hockey. You’re living your dream, enjoy it and do your best.”
That mindset, enjoying the process rather than obsessing over results, has helped Bedard handle the grind of the NHL season. He’s learned how to separate his personal life from his performance and avoid carrying losses home with him.
The Chicago Blackhawks, meanwhile, are still in the middle of a rebuild. With an average age of just over 26, they are one of the league’s youngest teams. Bedard recognizes that progress takes time, just look at players like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, or Jack Hughes, who didn’t all explode into superstardom overnight.
“Not everyone’s winning the Hart Trophy at 19,” Bedard said. “I don’t want to compare my path to another guy’s. There’ve been a lot of players who didn’t light the league on fire at 18 or 19 and then did eventually.”
Connor Bedard’s patience and perspective fueling his growth
Heading into his third season, Connor Bedard seems to understand something vital: greatness takes patience. He’s not rushing his journey or worrying about his next contract. His entry-level deal expires after this season, but he and the Chicago Blackhawks appear content to let negotiations unfold naturally.
“We’ve talked a little bit, and neither of us is panicked,” Bedard said. “I want to be there, they want me there, it’ll get done when it gets done.”
It’s a refreshing approach, especially from a player who’s constantly compared to the likes of Sidney Crosby and McDavid. Bedard’s calm confidence reflects a growing maturity, a belief that his “big year” will come when it’s meant to.
Through the early part of the 2025–26 season, he’s showing signs of that promise. The Chicago Blackhawks are 2-2-1 after five games, and Bedard has already registered two goals and six points. While his advanced numbers suggest he and linemates Colton Dach and Andre Burakovsky have struggled defensively at 5-on-5, the production is there. And for a young player, that’s often where confidence begins.
Coach Jeff Blashill continues to experiment with line combinations, hoping to find the chemistry that unlocks Bedard’s full potential. The good news? Even when the underlying numbers aren’t perfect, Bedard is still finding ways to contribute, something he wasn’t consistently doing last year.
The hope in Chicago is that this season marks the turning point, the moment Bedard takes the leap from promising young star to full-blown offensive force.
Connor Bedard’s next step could mirror NHL greats
If there’s a player who can relate to Connor Bedard’s path, it’s Nathan MacKinnon. Like Bedard, MacKinnon started strong, then plateaued for a few years before breaking out spectacularly during his age-22 season. Now, he’s one of the NHL’s most dominant players.
He’s already shown flashes of brilliance, and his maturity, both emotionally and professionally, continues to grow. If he maintains his balanced approach and continues to focus on the details of his game, the breakout everyone’s been waiting for might arrive sooner rather than later.
For now, Bedard is simply enjoying the process, staying humble, and reminding everyone, including himself, that hockey, at its core, is still just a game he loves to play.
“You just live your dream,” he said with a grin. “Enjoy it, and do your best.”
And for Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks, that dream might just be about to take off.
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