The criticism of Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard has reached the level of knocking him down a peg

Connor Bedard has reached the point of star status where folks are now trying to tear him down.

Last year, the Chicago Blackhawks superstar was the toast of the NHL. He was a prodigy, a generational talent. He represented being next in line to be the face of the league.

The novelty seems to have worn off in his second season, as the haters have been coming out in droves.

First, Hawks legend Jeremy Roenick was not happy with Bedard, who actually wanted to focus on playing in the Winter Classic rather than acknowledge Roenick in the locker room. Even fellow legend Chris Chelios came out and said Roenick was blowing the situation way out of proportion.

Then Hall of Famer Mark Messier suggested Bedard get benched for when he goes soft to the puck. It was a pointless criticism considering Bedard's ice time being cut would actually hurt the Blackhawks since he is the team's best player. Everyone on the roster knows it.

Now, you have TNT's Paul Bissonnette saying Bedard is out there playing pond hockey.

The analysis of Bedard's mistakes is fair. You watch the clip, and you see that Bedard still has to figure out what works in the NHL and what moves he should leave back in the juniors.

The pond hockey comment is a clear sign of just trying to knock him down a peg. Maybe it was just following today's hot-take sports coverage. Either way, it completely lacked the context that Bedard is still just 19 years old.

Most players his age are still playing in the juniors or college. Bedard is being asked to be the face of the franchise. He has done it with a maturity beyond his years.

It is not like he is carrying himself like some immature jerk. He is not out here making everything about himself or throwing fits in postgame interviews.

He knows when he makes a mistake. He is willing to raise his hand and point the thumb in his direction when he has a lazy pass that leads to a rush.

The recent shade being thrown by the old-school guys is nothing new. Even Michael Jordan got torn down upon his arrival in the NBA because it was supposed to be a big man's game.

Getting torn down is just part of being a star.

However, ripping apart Connor keeps lacking the context that this is still a teenager being talked about. A teenager who is producing at a high level by the way.

So, heaven forbid he is not a finished product after 121 career games.

Plus, the Hawks are going to lose games not because Connor Bedard makes a soft pass or tries to enter the offensive zone with a move that may work in the OHL but not the NHL.

The Hawks are going to lose games because they are talent-deficient.

The Hawks desperately need to get him some linemates who can legitimately skate with him on a nightly basis. For the most part, it has been a revolving door of wings on the first line playing alongside him.

Tyler Bertuzzi briefly was working out well with Bedard, but his game is more grit than flash. Frank Nazar was forming some chemistry with Bedard, but the hope is he is the team's long-term second-line center.

The Blackhawks need to get Bedard his version of Alex DeBrincat or Artemi Panarin that Patrick Kane enjoyed during his legendary run with the team.

Plus, it would help to actually give Bedard a fellow superstar. That way the spotlight does not have to shine so brightly on the young lad.

Kane always had Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa to spread the fame and keep the shade being thrown his way to a minimum.

The criticism will continue until the Hawks start to win. If there is going to be one critique to all the critiques of Bedard's game, it would be nice if it always mentioned that Bedard is just 19. He has been so good so soon that people forget that and then take unnecessary shots.