NHL News: Connor Bedard issues very sincere admission on his future with the Blackhawks after turbulent season

Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks managed to end the 2024-25 NHL season on a better note, but it was far from a positive year in The Windy City. As the organization embarks on a decisive offseason, Bedard made a key admission on his time with the Hawks.

Bedard recorded his best game of the campaign in the regular season finale at Ottawa, scoring a brace and assisting on the overtime game-winner. Though the win over the Senators had no impact on the standings, it sparked a wave of confidence in Chicago heading into the offseason.

Bedard’s sophomore season was marked by inconsistency and a prolonged slump that took a toll on his production. Although the former first overall pick in the 2023 NHL entry Draft finished with more total points than in his rookie campaign, his point-per-game pace saw a noticeable dip.

Oftentimes, the teenager’s facial expressions revealed his growing frustration — both with himself and the state of the franchise. However, with Bedard eligible for a contract extension after July 1st, Chi-town’s hockey messiah delivered a clear message about his intentions.

“I love it here,” Bedard told Chicago Sun-Times. “I have a great relationship with [general manager] Kyle [Davidson] and everyone. I know I want to be here for a long time.”

Realistic expectations

Nobody expected the Blackhawks to contend for a Stanley Cup during Bedard’s rookie or sophomore seasons—and unless they make a major splash this offseason, those expectations likely won’t be placed on Chicago heading into the 2025-26 campaign either.

However, the fanbase’s frustration is understandable — no team in the city has found much success in recent years, and Bedard’s arrival stands as the brightest beacon of hope amid Chicago’s seemingly eternal sports winter.

“People who know me know I love to be here and really trust the direction we’re going,” Bedard continued. “Hey, if you get the first overall pick, you’re probably not winning the Cup the next two years. It’s an understanding of where you’re at. We’re in a process of growing and learning, and that’s an exciting time. When you lose, it makes winning a lot sweeter once you get there. We’re excited for that.”

Finding their identity

The Blackhawks face a handful of question marks heading into the spring and summer break. While Anders Sorensen may not be first in line for a promotion to the full-time head coaching role, he played a pivotal part in shaping Chicago’s young core—and in the process, the team may have discovered its identity for the future.

“Some of the guys are pretty quick, it’s hard to keep up sometimes,” Connor Bedard said about the Blackhawks’ playstyle, via Phillip Thompson on X. “[Frank Nazar] and [Oliver Moore] and [Ilya Mikheyev], you can go down, [Ryan Greene] can wheel, there’s a lot of speed. That’s going to be our identity.”