The criticism of Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard is getting out of hand

Some much for Connor Bedard regressing. The Chicago Blackhawks phenom is on a heater.

All it took was firing Luke Richardson as head coach and pairing up Bedard with Tyler Bertuzzi. Imagine the numbers Bedard would be producing during this hot streak if there was a viable third running mate on the first line.

Despite the streak Bedard is on, he has received some criticism lately.

Of course, Bedard still has ways to go before you can rank among the truly elite class of NHL players. So, if some folks want to think Bedard is overrated, there is a case. Granted it is not a strong one.

Criticizing how he handles himself off the ice seems to be a bridge too far.

Hall of Famer Jeremy Roenick recently shared that he was not happy with Bedard not acknowledging him at the Winter Classic.

That elicited some responses that Bedard is a diva. It seems nothing can be further from the truth as the 19-year-old wunderkind has maturely handled himself given the massive attention that has been given since he came into the NHL last season.

Also, it seems like this is more of Jeremy trying to make it about him than Connor trying to big-time a legend.

Even his former teammate, Hall of Famer Chris Chelios said it is more of a generational difference than Bedard trying to disrespect J.R.

Chelios was a witness to what Roenick was describing, and if Chelly was fine with it, maybe Jeremy should be too. Especially since Chris has been involved with the franchise whereas Roenick just started to get himself involved again with the Blackhawks.

Also, maybe Jeremy should look at how Bedard has handled himself every day and realize maybe, just maybe, Connor was focusing on getting ready for the game. A reminder, it was a major game that the Hawks were playing in because of Connor Bedard.

If Bedard is not on the roster, there is no way the NHL decides to go with a team still in the middle of an extensive rebuild to headline their premier regular season event. Although the ratings were not strong so maybe the NHL should have waited to go with featuring Bedard in the Winter Classic.

The other criticism that is popping up lately regarding Bedard is he may not be a better franchise player than Macklin Celebrini or guys taken after Connor in the 2023 draft.

Had the Blackhawks won the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery again, we would not even have this debate. Macklin and Connor would be lighting up the lamp with great frequency on the Blackhawks right now. Everyone would be dreaming of those two hoisting a Stanley Cup together in the near future.

It would have been great to have those two phenoms together.

It did not shake out that way and Celebrini is producing for the San Jose Sharks. Until these two face off in the playoffs, this debate will rage on.

Now it is fair to debate who would you rather have between Bedard and Celebrini, especially since Celebrini is a bigger player. Maybe wanting Adam Fantilli or Leo Carlsson over Bedard is a bit of a stretch, even if the guy who has created this recent stir, Barstool Chief, loves Bedard.

It is not like Chief's logic is flawed.

It is just more of what is available to you in terms of who is elite when the team might never get another chance to pick No. 1 overall. Bedard is a smaller hockey player and he might be better suited to be on the wing, but he is the better hockey player than Carlsson and Fantilli.

Arguing for him to be on the wing is fine to debate. Questioning his selection is an interesting choice. Especially since the Hawks are staring at another opportunity to pick in the top 5 and take a player with size and skill like Carlsson and Fantilli.

Someone with the elite skill of Bedard is usually only available at No .1. It lined up that way for the Hawks when they had the top pick to get Bedard. If Connor is not there, it is likely Carlsson or Fantilli are on the Blackhawks.

However, it is fair to question the overall construction of the team's future core as the Hawks just do not have that bigger elite center prospect in their system. This is not like when the Hawks took Patrick Kane No. 1 overall year two decades ago after taking Jonathan Toews.

Now Sacha Boisvert might be able to be that guy, but it will be a while before he shows up in Chicago.

Otherwise, the Hawks front office has taken a lot of centers on the smaller side that makes you wonder if Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore will help Bedard produce Stanley Cups like Kane and Toews did.

Nazar and Moore are immensely skilled, but they do not feature the necessary size to do the dirty work and be elite at scoring like Toews was.

So, there is nothing wrong with disagreeing with Chief. Losing your mind over his take is also a bit too much that someone dared question Connor Bedard even being selected.

However, let's just enjoy the heater he is on and hope it never stops this season.