Connor Bedard looks like a different player in year three | NHL Insider Notebook

So, about those Chicago Blackhawks. And by the way, need to talk about Connor Baddard and the start that he’s had to this year. First off, the energy has been fantastic. He is so engaged and so motivated and not that he wasn’t previously, but you could tell the weight that he was carrying around watching the Chicago Blackhawks really closely. And I think that wore on him. Now with some increased help both up front with Frank Nazar here for a full season and breaking out and on the back end when you plug in guys like Lev Shunoff for the start the full season and Sam Renzel for his first full NHL season that the pressure is less on you. You’ve got other pieces that can help you get there. So that’s one part of it is the mental emotional aspect of it that you can feel like he’s a refreshed player. But then the other part for Connor Bard is just the total change in skating mechanics. He looks like a different skater. The way that he’s able to find seams and get his shot off, the angling of his shots has been better. The Chicago Blackhawks think that Connor Madard accomplished in one summer what might have taken other mere mortals two or three summers to accomplish in overhauling some of his skating dynamics. and it’s been very impressive to see some of those early returns for Baddard. So, I love where Connor Baddard is trending. Um, I think he just looks so much more energized. The skating indicates that as well. And sometimes part of that is hitting the reset button yourself. Sometimes part of it is a recognition and an acknowledgment on his end that not only was a lot on him, but also that some of the things that he was trying to accomplish, he’s never really been denied at any level in his career. He’s never really hit a wall before, and this is the best league in the world playing against men that he hasn’t had any help. So, he’s had to try and take on those tough matchups on a night-to-ight basis. You shut down the Chicago Blackhawks. the last two years you only needed to shut down Conor Baddard in order to accomplish that. Now with those other lines and components, they’re freeing him up a little bit and things that previously worked for him in the WHL weren’t working in the NHL. Now he’s figured out some solutions. So, uh, definitely a ton of stick taps for Conor Bard for the work that he’s put in and how well he’s played to start for

NHL Insider Frank Seravalli explains how Connor Bedard has evolved his game after an impressive offseason. From his skating to his work ethic, Seravalli says Bedard looks like a different player, and is impacting games every night for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Subscribe to B/R Open Ice on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@br_openice/sub_confirmation=1

Follow B/R Open Ice on X: https://x.com/BR_OpenIce
Follow B/R Open Ice on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/br_openice/

11 comments

  1. Levshanov has been horrible! He's panicking with the puck, playing slow and absolutely unworthy of being picked 2nd overall. Stop gaslighting and running cover for him.

  2. Cautiously optimistic as a Hawks fan. Bedard and Nazar definitely look like a solid 1/2 punch for the Hawks early on. Rinzel has looked decent as well. Levshunov has looked uncomfortable and struggling with confidence perhaps. Not as bad as some make him out to be, but the frustration from fans is the Hawks passed up on some pretty good talent at #2 overall in 24 to draft Levshunov so some are less patient as he learns the NHL game.. Spencer Knight has also saved the Hawks bacon already a couple times this year. Will be fun to watch the kids grow! Fun team

  3. I see a player who's gotten some fk you in his game, in the NHL it's helpful to have an edge to your game, pushing, shoving, taking zero shit from other players. He's learning and with his ability to make plays and rip his shots off, he's got a great career ahead

  8. He’s just maturing physically and emotionally… from a playing with more speed and pace to his game. Getting stronger and faster is for sure going to boost your conditioning and most importantly his confidence! Wait until he finds a couple good wingers.

Leave a Reply