Connor Bedard is primed for a big 2026-2027 season

The Chicago Blackhawks let the cat out of the bag this week as they announced that Connor Bedard will be the team's next captain. This is a move that the majority of this fanbase saw coming as the worst kept secret of the year for Chicago.

Bedard enters the upcoming season with the captaincy, a shiny $75 million contract and Patrick Kane as his newest linemate. Bedard is in a much better position to perform this year when compared to previous years with the Blackhawks.

This will be an important season for Bedard

This 2026-2027 campaign will be a crucial one for captain Connor. Pressure and high expectations are nothing new for him; the responsibility of the Blackhawks captaincy should not be too much for him to handle at this point of his career. It is hard to believe, but Bedard could be considered a veteran at this point. He is already entering his fourth season in the league, despite his youthful age of 21.

The results have been a mixed bag for Bedard thus far in his young NHL career. He had such an extraordinary junior career with the Regina Pats in the WHL that the expectations placed on him from day one were likely too much. This, coupled with the fact that he was a first-overall pick of such a storied Original Six franchise, not far removed from three Stanley Cups in six seasons, set the bar for Bedard to reach on Mount Everest.

With that said, Bedard has made the best of a tough situation on a Blackhawks squad that has finished in the basement ever since he joined the team. He has already started filling out his trophy case, having won the Calder trophy in 2024. He enjoyed a bounce back season this past year after a difficult sophomore campaign.

Overall, he has produced at just under a point-per-game rate in his first three years. The start of his career, statistically speaking, looks very similar to Kane's. When taking into account the stark difference in the quality of the teams they both played on at the onset of their Blackhawks tenures, that is an impressive achievement by Bedard.

What makes this upcoming season exciting for Bedard is how the team being built around him is coming together. There has been the question entering every year over whether Bedard has anyone at his level to play with.

The search for consistent linemates has been a struggle for this team since Bedard entered the fray. His most productive wingmen so far have included the likes of Philipp Kurashev, Nick Foligno, Ryan Donato, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Ryan Greene. With all due respect to these players, none of them are elite first-line options.

This looks to be the first season of the Bedard era where complementing him will not be problem. Kyle Davidson reinforcements are on the way with the arrivals of top rookies Anton Frondell and Roman Kantserov.

These are two of the most highly anticipated prospects in the game and should both receive plenty of time with Bedard in the top-six forward core. Frank Nazar and Nick Lardis are expected to take steps this year. And of course, the return of Blackhawks legend Kane. Bedard and Kane together should provide must-watch cinema to this city. This will be by far the best supporting cast Bedard has had as a member of the Blackhawks.

The point is that Bedard no longer has to do it on his own here. And teams can no longer simply zero-in on Bedard in their quest to shut down the Blackhawks. There are other weapons that the opposition will have to worry about on a nightly basis. This will open up time and space for Bedard to work his magic as he will not be the sole guy on the ice that the other team has to focus on.

Not to mention, Bedard's point totals should skyrocket this year with players on his wing that can actually finish the quality chances he generates every game.

Now, we have to address the elephant in the room. The negative factor for Bedard heading into this season is the fact he will start it on the sidelines as he waits for the team to activate him from injured reserve. With that said, perhaps this will not be as much of a blow as was originally projected.

Bedard has been consistently skating at Blackhawks Ice Center and has been seen taking relatively hard shots, despite the fact that he is rehabbing the left shoulder he received surgery on this summer. While this does not necessarily mean he is ahead of schedule, it is good to see that everything appears to be going to plan in Bedard's recovery schedule.

What is clear is that Bedard should have everything he needs to do the job at the best of his ability when he returns. He has taken well to his new position as captain thus far, having already mastered the art of speaking with the media.

Bedard has the right mentality needed to be a leader for this team. It will be fun to see what he can do in what will be a legacy season for him and the Blackhawks as they aim to break out this year.

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