Consistency is key for Connor Bedard's success at center with the Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks' future revolves around Connor Bedard's development and success. The former first overall pick has been Chicago's best player in both of his first two seasons, but entering the final year of his entry-level deal, the Blackhawks need more from Bedard.

Establishing puck possession off the faceoff is a surefire way to succeed in the NHL, and it is something the Blackhawks have been lacking the past few seasons. As a team last year, the Blackhawks were 44.8 percent in the faceoff dot, but the numbers from Bedard were well below the average at just 38.3 percent faceoffs won.

Bedard needs to come back this season better in the faceoff dot, and that should be possible in part thanks to new assistant coach Michael Peca.

Peca, a former assistant coach with the New York Rangers, was credited with the Rangers' improvement at the dot over his time with the team. There is no doubt he will be working with Bedard and even Frank Nazar come the start of training camp.

Winning faceoffs is only one piece of the puzzle for Connor Bedard's success.

Just last summer, the Blackhawks signed Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen in two of the team's most significant moves of the 2024 offseason. General manager Kyle Davidson's decision to sign the two forwards seemed simple—give Bedard some linemates he can succeed with.

While that may have been the idea behind the signing, the result on the ice ended up being different. Bedard rarely played with Bertuzzi and Teravainen outside of the power play. Instead, he spent the majority of his time playing with Ryan Donato, Ilya Mikheyev, or Nick Foligno.

Former Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson was never able to figure out Bedard's linemates, and neither could Anders Sorensen during his time behind the bench. One of Jeff Blashill's first tasks needs to be finding the right line pairings for Bedard, and it can't be a decision he changes his mind on night in and night out.

One way or another, Bedard needs consistent linemates this upcoming season. The Blackhawks need to give him time to build some chemistry with some linemates, and there are a couple of players who could get time with Bedard during training camp.

Donato, Mikheyev and Andre Burakovsky all could potentially fit as linemates for Bedard. Donato and Mikheyev have already spent time playing with him, with Donato having his best season to date, scoring 31 goals, including nine assisted by Bedard.

Burakovsky is another interesting name to consider. The Blackhawks trading for him was a gamble the team could afford to make. Having struggled with injuries during his time with Seattle, he is looking for a fresh start in Chicago.

It wasn't that long ago that Burakovsky registered 22 goals and 61 points in 80 games with Colorado in 2021-22, and the Blackhawks could help him rediscover that offensive ability.

Personally, another name I would like to see play with Bedard is Oliver Moore. Drafted in the same year as Bedard, Moore played in nine games with the Hawks late last season after signing in March. His speed and skill stood out the moment he hit the ice.

While it seems likely Moore is heading to Rockford to start the 2025-26 NHL Season, it would be exciting to see what Bedard could do with a linemate as quick as Moore.

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