Is a Connor Bedard breakout coming in 2025-26?

"I feel good," Bedard told Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times. "(Increasing my speed) was my big thing coming into the offseason, and I feel like I've definitely increased that. And, obviously, there's still some time to go here. A lot of it is in the gym, and then you do stuff on the ice to see how you move most efficiently."

He went on to tell Pope that he may have taken the wrong approach in his training last offseason, which potentially had a negative effect on his skating in 2024-25. 

Bedard's size and speed have been two of his main weaknesses at the pro level, so the thought of him improving in either of those areas is a scary thought for the rest of the league.

Bedard has racked up 45 goals and 83 assists for 128 points in 150 games in two seasons. Not to mention he's done so as a teenager. 

Heading into 2025-26, coming off a strong summer could lead to the young phenom putting together his best NHL season yet. Bedard will also have plenty of young talent around him as guys like Frank Nazar, Sam Rinzel, and Artyom Levshunov become regulars with the big club.

A lot of analysts and fans have been hard on Bedard to begin his career, and rightfully so, given all of the hype. However, very few have been as productive at such a young age, and he's showing the drive to fix the issues that might have been holding him back.