Sidney Crosby Reveals The Advice That He Gave Connor Bedard

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Arron Murphy
October 1, 2023 (6:54 PM)

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The Pressure of Being a Generational Talent in The NHL.

Stepping into the National Hockey League at the highest level of professional sports can be an overwhelming endeavour, especially for players burdened with colossal expectations. This often rings true for NHL first overall draft picks, and it's certainly the case for the young sensation, Connor Bedard, of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Many anticipate Bedard to be a truly generational talent, a distinction that brings immense pressure and expectations, which no player can be certain of fulfilling. Fortunately, Bedard is not the first to face such a challenge in the NHL. Over the weekend, Pittsburgh Penguins' captain, Sidney Crosby, who himself carried monumental expectations, shared some wise advice with the budding superstar.

Advice From A Previous Generational Talent: Sidney Crosby

Speaking with Penguins beat writer Dave Molinari, Crosby offered a simple yet profound piece of guidance:

"Just enjoy it."

He reminisced about his own first year in the league, recalling the excitement of visiting new arenas and cities, facing off against players he had admired the year before. Crosby emphasized that while Bedard will undoubtedly strive to excel, he should also savour the unique experience, as the first year in the NHL is a one-time opportunity.

Bedard is set to embark on this journey on October 10th when the NHL season officially kicks off, facing none other than Sidney Crosby and the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.

Crosby also imparted valuable advice on how to manage the weight of sky-high expectations, summing it up in a single word: "no." He acknowledged the demands of interviews and off-ice commitments and suggested that he might have said "no" more often to better balance the pressures, both internal and external.

As the regular season opener approaches, fans eagerly await the clash between these two generational talents, a showdown that promises to be nothing short of extraordinary.

As Read On HockeyFeed - "Sidney Crosby shares important advice with Connor Bedard."