Connor Bedard is looking to further establish himself as one of the NHL’s brightest young stars. The Chicago Blackhawks are determined to surround their franchise cornerstone with experienced players in hopes of avoiding a repeat of last season’s poor results. To that end, they acted quickly and completed a trade with the Seattle Kraken to bring in a former Stanley Cup champion.
Although Chicago failed to make the playoffs, Bedard finished the year with standout performances, including a three-point night in the final game of the regular season. That game served as a reminder that the team needs more high-level talent to compete seriously. Adding a proven Stanley Cup winner could be a significant step in that direction.
Despite facing some criticism, the young Canadian tallied 23 goals and 44 assists across 82 games last season. His performance has room to grow, especially with the support of veteran leadership on a Chicago roster still working to prove it can rise to the challenge in the upcoming campaign.
The Blackhawks’ new veteran presence
Chicago acquired forward Andre Burakovsky from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for prospect Joe Veleno. Burakovsky, a two-time Stanley Cup champion (2018 and 2022), recorded 37 points (10 goals, 27 assists) in 79 games last season. At 30 years old, he carries a $5.5 million cap hit for each of the next two seasons.
Seattle, on the other hand, is aiming to improve its financial flexibility after previously adding Mason Marchment. The addition of Veleno is a strategic move for the Kraken, as he posted 17 points in 74 games last season and comes with a more budget-friendly profile.
What Burakovsky’s arrival means for the Blackhawks
For the Blackhawks, bringing in Burakovsky means adding experience to a lineup centered around the emerging talent of Bedard. The goal of returning to the playoffs seems more attainable with a veteran who has played over 390 postseason games and recorded 47 playoff points.