Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard Faces Huge Opening Test

The Chicago Blackhawks open their season against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. The Panthers kick off their quest for a third straight championship, but the Blackhawks are just aiming to get back into the conversation.

How far the Blackhawks go rests firmly on the shoulders of third-year center Connor Bedard. His first two years have been better than some describe, but the Hawks haven’t returned to the playoffs and Bedard hasn’t single-handedly dragged the franchise back into contention like many believed. Still, this is a crucial year as he plays for a new contract and hopes to take the next step into superstardom.

It all starts with how he performs in the opener against the Panthers.

Superstar Moments

What makes a superstar is more than just the points, it’s the tone that they set that everyone falls in line to follow. Bedard has the skill set to be a world-class player and point producer, and he has to marry that with the killer-instinct the greatest captains and leaders in the league have. The competitive fire that defines Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid and Nate MacKinnon lives in Bedard, but now is the time to put it all on display.

This matchup against the Panthers is a perfect opportunity to do so. The Cats are wounded, entering the season without their captain Aleksander Barkov and superstar winger Matthew Tkachuk. They will be a beast to tackle despite the injuries, but winning teams meet those challenges led by their best players.

If Bedard is going to show that he’s ready for that next tier, his play will lead the way in a victory.