These 5 Blackhawks players will matter just as much as Connor Bedard this season

The Chicago Blackhawks have to start being a team that is more than Connor Bedard.

That is not a slight at Bedard. The young man needs help. Opposing defenses know when he is on the ice, he is the one threat to score every time he touches the puck. They suffocate him the moment he touches the puck

Everyone else on the Blackhawks, not so much.

Ryan Donato had a career season scoring goals, but he has to prove that was not his career season. Nick Foligno is a great captain, but his days of scoring 30 goals are well behind him.

Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen were too inconsistent last year to provide the assistance Bedard needed to stop defenses from trying to take him out of the game.

Plus, at some point, this young, impressive talent pipeline must start producing the core players needed to help Bedard turn this franchise around.

That is why these five players must emerge this season as high-caliber NHL players.

Frank Nazar

He just got a huge contract extension despite skating in 56 career NHL games. He has the talent to be the second superstar Bedard needs.

It would go a long way for him to double, or even triple, his career 13 goals and 14 assists this season.

Alex Vlasic

Vlasic sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of the talented young defensemen the Blackhawks are giving a shot this season. Vlasic was the first of that collection to emerge as a legit NHL defender.

Vlasic's long frame makes him great on the defensive end. He had 26 assists last season to further cement that he can be the team's No. 1 defenseman. He has to prove it for a full season after Seth Jones was traded at the deadline last season.

Sam Rinzel and Artyom Levshunov

The two young blueliners have the potential to win Norris Trophies. Vlasic has been outstanding, he may be more of a No. 3 defenseman on the next competitive team.

Rinzel and Levshunov have the potential to impact the game like Duncan Keith did.

Spencer Knight

The netminder will be the unquestioned No.1 netminder. He is set to be a restricted free agent after the season.

He has a chance to cement his status as the team's long-term No. 1 goalie this year if he can keep the Hawks in games early in the season as the young defensive unit adjusts to life in the NHL.