Connor Bedard Embarrasses Commissioner Gary Bettman And The NHL

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James Connelly
January 4, 2024 (7:53 PM)

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The NHL viewership for the 2024 Winter Classic was abysmal and due to that, Chicago Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard had the opportunity to embarrass Gary Bettman.

NHL Winter Classic Viewership Hits An All-Time Low: Chicago Blackhawks Rookie Connor Bedard NHL Debut Viewed More Than The Winter Classic

On New Year's Day, the NHL held its annual Winter Classic between the two newest franchises, the Seattle Kraken and the Vegas Golden Knights. The game had little marketing and the teams, both new, could not draw in enough of an audience. Because of this, the Winter Classic only had 1.11 million viewers.

The 2024 Winter Classic averaged 1.11 million viewers across TNT and truTV � the smallest audience in its history.

For the first time ever, the event will not finish as the most-watched game of the NHL season.

With the Winter Classic not being the most viewed game of the season, then what was? The Chicago Blackhawks' season opener and Connor Bedard's NHL debut.

But very interesting note here: 1st time the Classic didn't deliver the season's biggest audience. What did? Connor Bedard's opening night debut.

Bedard's debut against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins had an astonishing 1.43 million viewers absolutely blowing the Winter Classic out of the water.

No. 1 overall draft pick Connor Bedard's NHL debut averaged 1.43M viewers on ESPN.

It's the most-watched regular season NHL game ever on cable, excluding the Winter Classic.

With this, Gary Bettman is already looking to capitalize off of Bedard further as the Blackhawks are favorites to be in next year's Winter Classic.

Friedman on TJMS talking Blackhawks and Winter Classic: «It is going to be Hawks, initially I didn't know if it was going to be Hawks at home or Hawks on the road, after we mentioned it on the pod I had people who were kind of hinting, don't be surprised if it's Hawks at home»

This just adds to the narrative that Connor Bedard is the most valuable asset in all of hockey and will likely be able to draw millions more eyes to the Winter Classic next year.