Connor Bedard, the highly touted talent of the Chicago Blackhawks, faces immense expectations after being selected first overall in the draft and winning the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie. However, this season has been challenging for the 19-year-old as he grapples with the dreaded “sophomore slump.”
So far, Bedard has scored only three goals in 20 games and hasn’t found the net in 11 consecutive outings, with his last goal occurring on October 26 against the Dallas Stars. “I could list a hundred things I could improve on,” Bedard expressed on Friday, according to ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski. “It’s been frustrating. I feel like I’m not contributing much. I just have to keep working at it and hope to regain my form.”
Despite recording 12 assists this season, Bedard’s goal drought reflects the difficulties faced by the Blackhawks, who share the NHL’s lowest points percentage (.375) with a 7-12–1 record and rank second-to-last in goals scored this season (48), only ahead of the Nashville Predators (46).
Bedard admitted that sustaining confidence is tough as he seeks to start scoring again. “It’s been a challenging period,” he said. “You feel like you’re off your game and it affects your confidence.”
Last season, he led the team with 22 goals and 39 assists, despite missing 14 games due to a broken jaw in January. This year, Bedard is attempting to broaden his contributions by focusing on both defensive and offensive roles, recently shifting to the wing rather than playing center. “I haven’t been productive offensively, so I need to find other ways to help out,” he noted. “It’s a change for me, but it’s easier than playing center. It’s all about positioning and knowing where to be.”
On Saturday, the Blackhawks will take on the Philadelphia Flyers, hoping to start distancing themselves from the bottom of the Western Conference.
