Connor Bedard finally gets the respect Blackhawks fans knew was coming

A couple of days back, the NHL released its top 10 under-25 forwards, and they listed Connor Bedard at No. 6. That's epic, considering Bedard's inconsistent play at times last season, when he went 12 straight games without finding the net.

Further, Bedard had a 19-game stretch when he scored just two goals, even if his playmaking ability shined with 10 assists. All of that said, following that 12-game stretch without a goal, Bedard found twine 20 times in the final 61 games, recording 52 total points and a 14.3 shooting percentage in the process.

So, maybe some will still find it laughable that Bedard made the list, but he grew more consistent in the second half of the season and showed us that, yes, he can be the leader everyone in the Windy City expects him to be. And not just that, he's more than capable of hitting that point per game mark, something that I'm sure is on his mind as he puts in the work hours here in July.

Connor Bedard showed us why he deserved a spot on the top 10 forwards under-25 list

Generational talents who don't log at least a point per game in Year 2 of their respective careers would have a tough time breaking onto a list like this. In many cases, we'd call it underperforming, but Bedard's part of an all-out rebuild that was going to put his points production in peril for a while.

One reason he deserved a spot here was that, despite his inconsistency scoring goals early in the year, he still made more than his fair share of helpers. That alone showed that he didn't disappear offensively and he was still viable in other ways.

I will concede and say that Bedard could end up in a better position as a winger instead of center, but I'd give him at least another year in the middle before making that decision. This has come with his inconsistencies playing defense and his inability to even remotely win consistent face-offs.

But he's still moving the arrow north overall, and Bedard has led the team in points in each of his first two seasons. He's also put up 20-plus goals, 22-plus to be exact, in both years. That's a rare feat for players first entering the league at age 18.

Expect more from Connor Bedard in 2025-26, even if it's another long year for the Blackhawks

Regardless of what happens in the Windy City for the 2025-26 season, Bedard's progress will up the ante, and it'll give the base something to look forward to. I also wouldn't be surprised if he led all players under 25 in points, or even in goal scoring, as Year 3 could see him making a massive jump.

Overall, Bedard hasn't lit up the league, but he's done more than enough to gain recognition. That recognition will continue to come in Year 3 and beyond and, sooner than later, it'll turn around the Blackhawks fortunes.

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