It’s Connor Bedard Day here at Chicago Hockey Now, as the Chicago Blackhawks’ young star was all over the internet yesterday. Plus, one of the NHL’s top players addresses the biggest trade of the summer.

Blackhawks Chirps

Let’s start with The Hockey Writer’s Gail Kauchak’s 2025-26 season preview of Bedard.

My pals DJ Bean and Pete Blackburn of the What Chaos! Podcast discussed Bedard’s trajectory and warned those who are calling him a bust that they will look foolish.

Finally, Kaivo Hockey posted some footage of Bedard training with San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini on their Instagram account.

Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill was at Wrigley Field last night to throw out the first pitch ahead of the Chicago Cubs game against the Milwaukee Brewers. He was good luck, as the Cubbies won their third straight over their rivals from Beer Town.

On this date in 1969, the Hockey Hall of Fame announced its new induction class, comprising Sid Abel, Red Kelly, Roy Worters, Bryan Hextall Sr., and Bruce Norris. Abel played the final 42 games of his career with the Blackhawks, becoming the last player/head coach in league history. Norris’ father, James, was an original financial investor of the Chicago Stadium and eventually owned the arena outright. He was also a part-owner of the Blackhawks from 1944 until he died in 1952.

Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, August 21: Billy Reay, Brandon Davidson, and Dominik Kubalik.

NHL Chirps

Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews spoke to TSN and publicly addressed the trade of Mitch Marner for the first time. He said that the team will “obviously miss” his great friend. He knows there is a business side to the sport and wishes Marner the best as he moves forward without him.

NHL.com’s Dan Rosen reported that New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad will likely start training camp on the wing instead of his usual center position. According to new head coach Mike Sullivan, Zibanejad and J.T. Miller found some chemistry late last season, and he wants them to start the season together.

Utah Mammoth goaltender Connor Ingram has been cleared by the NHLPA to return to the league, per Belle Fraser of the Salt Lake Tribune. He entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program last March.

The Nashville Predators signed Brady Martin to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Soo Greyhounds forward was taken fifth overall at last June’s NHL Entry Draft.

NHL Birthday Roll Call, August 21: Toe Blake, Keith Allen, Steve McKenna, Frederic Brunet, and Jett Luchanko.