I want to open up our off day with a really intelligent discussion of where Connor Bedard is on his career path. Paul Pidutti at Daily Faceoff was one of the analysts who was really inflating Bedard’s tires before the season began, saying his “generational talent” could see him into 100-point territory. But he also put caveats on those comments back in the preseason that there were a lot of factors that go into that level of individual success.
As we’ve all seen, many of those factors have played out in a not-great to worst-case-scenario impact this season for Bedard. A coaching change, multiple slumps and constant changes of linemates have seen his production stay flat, if not slide the wrong direction this year. So when I saw Pidutti circle back with some analysis of the “disappointing sophomore season” Bedard is having, it got my attention.
This is a really good look at how Bedard might not be the “next Crosby/McDavid” because of the pages in the first two chapters of his career, but that doesn’t mean he won’t eventually become a superstar who produces at an incredibly high level. He cites Patrick Kane, Nathan MacKinnon and Jack Hughes as some good career comps at this point. I strongly encourage giving this a read.
#Blackhawks Connor Bedard’s sophomore season has underwhelmed. The good news? He doesn’t need to become the next McDavid overnight.
Today @DailyFaceoff: exploring the unpaved path to stardom for the 19-year-old phenom.https://t.co/YQK6SWMVWl— Paul Pidutti (@AdjustedHockey) April 2, 2025
- Really good column here from Mark Lazerus at The Athletic on Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno. He took on the unenviable task of wearing the C in Chicago after Jonathan Toews seriously, and continues to be committed to the process. He’s in a unique situation where he knows the Blackhawks return to relevance is likely going to come after his time here is over. But he’s still all-in. If he’s going to be an NHL coach at some point, he’s starting his resume now with the Blackhawks.
“I’d love to be here to reap the benefits, but it’s not about me at this point.”Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno could have spent his twilight years Cup-chasing. Instead, he’s obsessively planting seeds in a garden he’ll never get to see.
My column: https://t.co/6VXKR0UqYO— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) April 2, 2025
- Jeff Marek at Daily Faceoff wrote a piece about the upcoming summer coaching searches around the NHL. And he focuses his piece on some names who might get the call to be first-time head coaches in the league with their next gig. A number of NCAA coaches are brought up who could be interesting, but his final few sentences got my attention for obvious reasons:
And then there’s David Carle, the winning machine. I’m told it would take a lot to get him to leave a great setup with Denver, but is there a team out there ready to make his accountant happy and bring in one of the best coaches in college hockey? Maybe a team loaded with young prospects. Could the Chicago Blackhawks make sense here?
- NHL Central Scouting will convene their end-of-season meeting today to put together the final rankings of the top North American skaters and goalies eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft. Some good comments in this piece from Mike G. Morreale at NHL.com before those meetings take place about the top players in the draft — especially the forwards who would figure to immediately follow Matthew Schaefer in the final rankings (read: likely Blackhawks targets) — and a few sleepers.
2025 @NHL Draft: 5 questions entering NHL Central Scouting final meetings in Toronto https://t.co/chTfSgTcbP
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) April 2, 2025
- The NHL and NHLPA broke bread on Tuesday and got to work on the next Collective Bargaining Agreement. Everything appears to be in a very good place for this to get done fairly smoothly in the coming months. With the news that the league has a massive new TV deal in Canada, the money will be bigger that the two sides are splitting. And, with the next three salary cap figures already agreed to, it feels like the path is clear for the two sides to make it happen. This is great for the game.
NHL-NHLPA officially began CBA extension talks Tuesday. Gary Bettman had said at the GM meetings a few weeks ago that talks would begin this week, and they indeed have.— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) April 2, 2025
- Blackhawks prospect Victor Söderström has reportedly won the Börje Salming Trophy as the the top defenseman in the Swedish Hockey League. His rights were acquired from Utah at the trade deadline. He recorded 37 points in 49 regular-season games for Brynäs.
- How about some more footage of newly signed defenseman Taige Harding skating with the IceHogs? Phil Thompson of the Chicago Tribune was in Rockford and provided this clip. And, yes, he’s big.
So kind of the IceHogs to give Taige Harding a jersey with his number on it this time (just kidding). pic.twitter.com/WulSknjMgd
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) April 2, 2025
- Before we get to the OHL playoff action from last night and set you up for this evening, each team’s nominee for the Red Tilson Trophy — OHL Most Outstanding Player — were named on Wednesday. One Blackhawks prospect, Brantford’s Nick Lardis, is among the team representatives. Have to think Lardis and (potential future teammate) Michael Misa have really good chances of winning after their historic offensive seasons.
Who you voting for? 🤔
Presenting the 2024-25 nominees for the Red Tilson Trophy awarded to the #OHL‘s Most Outstanding Player as voted by the League’s accredited writers and broadcasters 📝🎙️ pic.twitter.com/vbps67YMQO— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) April 2, 2025
- In the OHL playoffs, Windsor played at Sault Ste. Marie last night but AJ Spellacy was a scratch again.
- Tonight is a full slate of OHL postseason action for the Blackhawks prospects. Nick Lardis, Marek Vanacker and Brantford are at North Bay at 7 PM CT. Jack Pridham and Kitchener are at Flint at 7 PM CT. Martin Misiak, Ty Henry and Erie host Saginaw at 7 PM CT. And Alex Pharand and Sudbury host Kingston in the “late game” at 7:05 PM CT.
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