Connor Bedard Faces Backlash for Bold Move in Blackhawks Season Opener

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Daniel Lucente
October 9, 2024 (5:25 PM)

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Connor Bedard is only entering his second year in the NHL but the way he acted on the ice in last night's Blackhawks game vs Utah had many calling him cocky.

Connor Bedard held nothing back in the Utah opener against the Chicago Blackhawks, displaying his own skill and creativity on the ice. One of his moments of glory was a Michigan-style goal attempt against goalie Connor Ingram. This flashy type of move, where a player lifts the puck onto his stick, trying to score from behind the net, is one that spoke volumes to the confidence Bedard had, even when his team was down one goal late in the third.

The game itself was one for history in the Utah Hockey Club, celebrating its first-ever game in the league and its very first win with a 5-2 victory over the Blackhawks. Even with Bedard's efforts, the Utah team stood firm and never really gave Chicago a chance for an equalizer, walking away very deserving of the win.

Bedard received much criticism from certain fans after the game for attempting such a risky move in the first game of the season. Many were of the opinion that a simpler, more conventional play may have earned the Blackhawks a better opportunity to tie the game. At least one fan complained outright that Bedard was "overconfident" and that future attempts at the Michigan could result in his getting "flattened" by more aggressive defenders.

But aside from the goal, Bedard was awfully hard to find fault with otherwise. He added in two assists, five shots on net, and a +1 rating in 21 minutes of ice time. The ability to create scoring chances and drive play were most definitely there, which says all that one might need to know, that he's an important building block for the Blackhawks at such an early stage of his career.

The question that might fester, however, in the mind of some is whether Connor Bedard should have tried the Michigan in the first place. Finally, it needs to be crystal clear to one and all that innovation and skillful plays of the highest order are going to keep on popping up in the headlines courtesy of Bedard. As the season wears on, expect more audacious plays from him, as Bedard is not likely to resist taking risks in an effort to succeed.