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Chicago Blackhawks Move Forward Connor Bedard in Tough Decision Lineup Move
Photo credit: Yahoo Sports
The Chicago Blackhawks selected Connor Bedard 1st overall in 2023, the center has been a blessing for the team, but he holds one troubling statistic in the NHL.
Connor Bedard was selected 1st overall in 2023, and has been the key piece for the Blackhawks ongoing rebuild in the NHL.
This season we've seen him in a slump, until after the team had fired Luke Richard, and placed Anders Sorensen in the interim coaching position. It appears they are now moving him to the wing position once more.
Bedard's slump has ended, during the month of December we've seen him score 30 points( 9 G, 21 A) in 35 games thanks to Sorensen's system.
But, at the root of the discussion is his lack of two-way play, and his dismal face-off percentage which is the lowest in the NHL at 34.1%.
Should the Blackhawks shift priorities with Bedard, and instead of keeping him at center, where he's not thriving put him on the wing?
It appears they will be doing so, Bedard WILL be moved to the wing.
He wouldn't have to worry about taking face-offs, and his responsibilities on the ice would be decreased significant while letting him focus on his offensive play.
The move is something the Blackhawks shouldn't consider lightly, as the next prospect who could fill the role as a 1C albeit temporarily is Frank Nazar.
But, shifting their 1C Bedard to the wing, would mean GM Kyle Davidson would have to hope for a lottery pick in order to select a player like James Hagens, Michael Misa, or Anton Frondell in the 2025 NHL Draft.
This would add more time onto the Blackhawks' rebuild, which is only in year two, and while there shouldn't be any rush, a setback like this could add another year or two to the game plan.
While the idea has been used to ease centers in the NHL, Bedard could benefit from playing on the wing and give the Hawks ease of mind until he finishes developing.
Bedard was seen working on his face-offs in November with Coach Yanic Perreault, but how much did he learn from the lessons?
I hate to be so negative here because I love the kid, but that is unacceptable. It is also untenable. You cannot, I repeat cannot, have your first-line franchise center be completely inept at winning faceoffs.
We have seen Bedard recently working with Yanic Perreault on his faceoffs, and the hope is he can improve dramatically. The bummer is that even a dramatic improvement might still see Bedard being a really poor faceoff man.
We have seen Bedard recently working with Yanic Perreault on his faceoffs, and the hope is he can improve dramatically. The bummer is that even a dramatic improvement might still see Bedard being a really poor faceoff man.
Can he improve soon or should the team shift him to the wing?
Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 27 | 216 ANSWERS Chicago Blackhawks Move Forward Connor Bedard in Tough Decision Lineup Move Should Interim Coach Anders Sorensen of the Chicago Blackhawks put center Connor Bedard on the wing? | ||
| Yes | 170 | 78.7 % |
| No | 46 | 21.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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