Connor Bedard's comments on Blackhawks' additions should win over conflicted fans

The Chicago Blackhawks entered this offseason looking to finally bring the team back into playoff contention. General manager Kyle Davidson's goal is to build a winning team around Connor Bedard, which he hasn't been able to do since he entered the league in 2023. This offseason, Davidson was incredibly active.

First, he traded away the fourth-overall pick for Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram, which had been the subject of debate around the league regarding whether it was the right move or not. That, and the team brought back former face of the franchise Patrick Kane on a two-year, $16 million deal. Those are just two of the additions they made, with others being 2026 second-round pick Louis Crevier and 2023 draft pick Roman Kantserov. Blackhawks fans might be wondering, did the Blackhawks do enough to make the playoffs out of the top-heavy Central Division?

Bedard is on board with the moves made by Davidson, telling NHL.com that he believes that they will help the team take that next step and compete for a playoff spot.

“We want to take a big step this year," Bedard told NHL.com. "We want to be a playoff team and that’s our only goal. With those additions, to add that high-end skill and the other additions, you add guys who are physical and can help on the other end of the ice, which is just as important.

“Our adds are going to be a huge difference. We feel good about our group and what we’ve got going in. We’re extremely confident of each and every guy in the room and the growth we’ve all had this summer. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Connor Bedard is fully on board with Blackhawks moves this offseason

What else is Bedard supposed to say? While it's not surprising that Bedard gave a positive review, it's how glowingly he spoke about the moves and how he believes it will help them take that much needed step back to contention.

As mentioned earlier, the Blackhawks never got close to the playoffs once Bedard entered the league. Given that they had to give him a new contract extension, they had to show a commitment that they planned on putting forth a better team with a chance to make it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

The Blackhawks are relatively set at forward entering this offseason, and they needed to improve their defense. They held the fourth overall pick, which likely would have given them their choice of one of the top defensemen prospects in the class. Instead, the Blackhawks traded it to the Sabres for Byram, who they believe will be their top defender for the foreseeable future.

Then, the Blackhawks made the popular move to bring Kane back to the team. Before the signing, Bedard spoke glowingly about the potential to team up with Kane and learn from him.

As for Kantserov, he spent the previous four years playing in the KHL. This past season with Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Kantserov recorded 36 goals and 28 assists in 63 games. The hope is that that production can carry over to the NHL, where he could potentially compete for one of the spots in the top six.

Blackhawks will have to prove critics and fans right over offseason moves

While Bedard is on board with the moves, it is up to the team to prove their doubters wrong.

First up, they will have to show that trading for Byram and signing him to the richest contract for a defenseman in NHL history (six-years, $75 million). The trade was under scrutiny due to Byram's defensive inconsistencies during his time in Buffalo. Maybe his play does improve, especially as he escaped a defensive logjam in Buffalo. All eyes will be on him this season, to see if he is living up to his lucrative contract.

As for Kane, the Blackhawks are paying a lot of money for their face of the franchise to return. He is nowhere near the player he was during his prime. However, the hope is that he can help Bedard develop into one of the best players in the game today. Plus, to help improve their offense.

The Blackhawks will be a team to follow this season, as fans see if they can take that next step out of their rebuild like the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks have.

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