NHL issues anticipating statement on Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard

The Chicago Blackhawks kick off the start of the 2025-26 NHL season in familiar territory, taking on the Florida Panthers. The two teams have no love lost, after a swap last season sent Seth Jones to Sunrise and Spencer Knight to the Windy City.

Since then, the Blackhawks have worked on improving the lineup and the team by adding coach Jeff Blashill behind the bench.

But most important of all, we wonder what the 2025-26 season holds in store for center Connor Bedard? He'll begin his third year in the NHL, two years after securing the Calder Trophy in 2023-24.

While last season was another 8th place finish in the Central Division, good enough to net them a pick of Swedish Center Anton Frondell.

Bedard has scored a total of 128 points in 150 games with the Blackhawks and has played the 1C position the majority of his career in Chicago.

Though he has found himself on the wing at times this past year, he's been the foundation of the Blackhawks' offense.

If he improves his speed as he said he would during the offseason, we could see him produce at a higher clip than we've seen before.

He's been a consistent 60+ point producer in the NHL, and hasn't found the trigger that puts him in the territory of Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon just yet.

Perhaps, this year will be it? With the youth movement in full swing and contract negotiations ongoing, we should see a new and improved Bedard.