Just one year removed from a sensational rookie campaign that earned him the Calder Trophy, Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard finds himself mired in a frustrating sophomore slump. The 19-year-old phenom, who electrified the NHL with his dazzling skills and scoring prowess last season, has struggled to find the back of the net through the first quarter of the 2024-25 season.
A Season of Frustration
Bedard’s scoring woes have been a central narrative in the early stages of the Blackhawks’ season. Through 20 games, the young forward has managed just 3 goals, a far cry from the 22 he potted in his rookie year. While his assist totals remain respectable, with 12 helpers to his name, Bedard’s inability to light the lamp has been a source of mounting frustration.
“I could name 100 things I could do better,” a visibly exasperated Bedard confessed to reporters on Friday. “It’s been frustrating, for sure. I just don’t feel like I’m really doing anything out there. I’ve got to keep chipping away at it, I guess, and hopefully find my game again.”
Searching for Answers
As the goal drought has persisted, Bedard has grappled with the mental toll of his diminished production. The confidence and swagger that defined his rookie season have given way to self-doubt and introspection.
“You just feel like you don’t have it or whatever, and you lose a bit of confidence. And it just kind of goes on,” Bedard explained, offering a candid glimpse into his state of mind.
Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson has taken steps to jumpstart his young star, most recently shifting Bedard to the wing on a line with Jason Dickinson and Joey Anderson. The move yielded some positive results against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, with Bedard notching two assists. However, the trio was stymied in Chicago’s subsequent win over the Florida Panthers, failing to generate a shot on goal while being thoroughly outplayed by Aleksander Barkov’s line.
Embracing a New Role
For Bedard, the shift to the wing represents an opportunity to contribute in different ways while weathering his scoring slump. “I’m not doing much offensively at all, so I’ve got to find a different way to be productive,” he acknowledged. “It’s good playing with those two guys. You learn a lot in that end. It’s a lot less work than at center. It’s just about positioning and knowing where to be.”
Coach Richardson emphasized that the move was not intended to pigeonhole Bedard into a checking role, but rather to ease the pressure on the struggling forward and allow him to regain his offensive confidence within a more structured system. “We didn’t bring him here to be a checker,” Richardson asserted. “But just the way our team has a lack of scoring, we’re hunkering down on the defensive side until we get a little more confidence offensively back.”
The Road Ahead
As the Blackhawks approach the quarter mark of the season, Bedard remains focused on rediscovering the form that made him one of the NHL’s most electrifying young stars. “Just keep going in every game. Trying to be the best me,” he stated, his determination evident even amid the disappointment.
For the Blackhawks organization and its fans, the hope is that Bedard’s sophomore slump proves to be a temporary blip rather than a sign of longer-term concerns. The team has invested heavily in the young phenom, both as a cornerstone of their on-ice product and as a marquee attraction for a franchise in the midst of a rebuild.
“Connor is a special player, a generational talent,” a source close to the Blackhawks organization told us. “Every young player goes through rough patches, but we have complete faith that he’ll come out of this stronger and better than ever. He’s the future of our franchise, and we’re committed to supporting him every step of the way.”
As Bedard navigates this challenging chapter of his young career, the hockey world will be watching closely, eager to see if the prodigious talent can recapture the magic that made him the talk of the league just one year ago. For now, the journey is one of perseverance, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of greatness, even in the face of adversity.
