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Chicago Blackhawks head coach addresses a Connor Bedard move that would be crucial for his game


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Sam Walker
September 27, 2025  (9:43)
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In the midst of criticism surrounding Connor Bedard's name and if he can actually live up to the hype of being a former first overall draft pick, a potential move could certainly change things for him.

The Chicago Blackhawks and last season's head coach Anders Sorensen completed an unexpected move involving Connor Bedard that had quite the negative impact.
Throughout Bedard's transition to the big stage, he's found comfortability on the wing, with less responsibility than being a center.
Any player would be in the same boat, as a center has great responsibilities that may be too much for an 18- or 19-year-old transitioning into the NHL.
Bedard's highest point production has come on the wing, with Frank Nazar centering his line, but it appears they will be broken up this upcoming season.
Underneath new head coach Jeff Blashill, Bedard's set to be movved back center.
"Question:
Do you see Bedard and Frank Nazar as centers?

Answer:
"Interestingly, Nazar was late in becoming a center. But I think they both can excel at center. I think they both have the attributes to be really good centers. We have some other centers in the pipeline, including (Anton) Frondell, a guy who has a chance to be a top-couple-line NHL center. We'd love to have more centers than not enough.

I was just watching the 2009 Stanley Cup Final game on the plane the other day on the way home, Game 7, and, you know, Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, who I coached as well, both were centers and at times played together. So, there's a lot of things you can do when you have great players."

- Jeff Blashill

Jeff Blashill compares Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar to Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid

Blashill addressed that Draisaitl and McDavid excel on wing and center together, much like Bedard and Nazar would, but that does not seem to change his mind.
"Obviously, Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid do that. I'm not suggesting that I'm going to do that necessarily, but those are options that you have when you have really good players who can certainly play the center-ice position, but can also play together with another center if that's the best way to maximize your team.

Both of them have the attributes to be great centers. We'll continue to help work with them. Part of being a great center is that you have to be a great two-way player, so we'll continue to work with them on that."

- Jeff Blashill

In the most crucial stage of these young players' development, this may not be the best move.
Let's see how this works out for this upcoming season.
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SEPTEMBRE 27   |   72 ANSWERS
Chicago Blackhawks head coach addresses a Connor Bedard move that would be crucial for his game

Are you pleased with this move involving Connor Bedard?

Yes2534.7 %
Meh, let's see how it goes first before i judge3548.6 %
No, leave him on wing1216.7 %
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