Connor Bedard is in the thick of a tough stretch, and Tuesday night’s shootout summed it up in a single, painful moment.
With the Blackhawks needing a goal to stay alive, Bedard skated in for his attempt-and never even got the shot off. The puck slipped away before he could make a move, and all he could do was peel off and skate back, empty-handed and visibly frustrated. It was the kind of moment that stings, not just because of the result, but because of what it represents: a young star still trying to find his footing after returning from injury.
Since rejoining the lineup, Bedard has managed just one goal in nine games. For a player who came into the league with sky-high expectations and a generational skillset, that kind of drought draws attention. And not the good kind.
Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill didn’t sugarcoat it over the weekend when asked about Bedard’s play. “Yeah, I think he’d be the first to tell you, since he’s been back, I think there have been moments when he’s going good and moments where he hasn’t,” Blashill said.
“That’s the ebb and flow of reality at times of the year. That’s what happens with guys sometimes.
You’re out a long time, and it’s hard to get your mojo back sometimes. He’s just working his mojo back.”
That last line says a lot. The Blackhawks know what they have in Bedard.
They’re not panicking. They’re not questioning his talent.
But they also understand that bouncing back from injury-especially for a young player still adjusting to the NHL grind-isn’t always a straight line.
There’s no denying the weight Bedard carries in Chicago. He’s not just another top pick; he’s the face of the franchise, the centerpiece of a rebuild, and the player the organization is banking on to lead them into a new era. That’s a lot to carry, especially when the results aren’t there.
Right now, the numbers aren’t kind. The confidence looks shaken.
And moments like Tuesday’s shootout misfire only amplify the spotlight. But this is part of the process.
The learning curve in the NHL is steep, even for the most gifted players. What matters now is how Bedard responds-and how the Blackhawks help him through it.
Chicago’s job is to keep the faith, keep giving him chances, and let him play through the rough patches. Because when he finds that rhythm again-and he will-the flashes we’ve seen will turn into something much more consistent. For now, though, it’s about getting through the grind, one shift at a time.