The problems keep piling up for the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2024-25 NHL season. As the roster endures the growing pains of a tough campaign, star Connor Bedard finds himself mired in a slump. After being held off the scoresheet once again in Chicago’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators, Bedard issued a sincere statement.
The Blackhawks had their two-game winning streak snapped by the visiting Senators, but the team in Chicago has managed to earn points in their last three outings. Despite the struggles they’ve faced throughout the season, the Hawks are aiming to finish the NHL campaign on a stronger note.
Bedard will be eager to change the tune heading into the final quarter of the season, as he’s been in a slump recently, having already endured a tough stretch earlier in the campaign. After failing to register a point against the Senators, the franchise cornerstone in Chicago extended his point drought to seven games.
There’s no definitive answer as to what caused Bedard’s scoring drought, but one date stands out as the turning point for the 19-year-old’s production. Bedard hasn’t scored or assisted in an NHL game since before the 4 Nations. While many benefited from the two-week in-season break, Bedard has come out cold, and he issued an honest admission about his recent performance.
Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks arrives to the red carpet prior to the game against the Vegas Golden Knights at the United Center on October 21, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.
“My job is to produce and create offense. It’s frustrating when you’re not,” Bedard admitted, via CHGO_Blackhawks and Ben Pope on X. “I’m trying to play a similar style and similar way [as before the 4 Nations break], and it just hasn’t gone as well. It’s something that I’ve got to figure out, where I’m going wrong and be better.”
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Bedard hopes to keep key teammate
With the trade deadline looming closer as ever, Bedard and the Blackhawks may be parting ways with pending UFA in Chicago, Ryan Donato. The 28-year-old put on an impressive season with the Hawks this year, and has caught the eye of several contenders looking for a rental ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
However, given the lack of top talent around him, Bedard isn’t eager to see one of the biggest contributors hit the market. The 19-year-old delivered a strong message about Donato, perhaps pleading GM Kyle Davidson to steer away from dealing Donato during the deadline.
General manager Kyle Davidson of the Chicago Blackhawks looks on during practice prior to the 2024 NHL Winter Classic against the St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field on December 30, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
“Obviously you want [Donato] to stay, but everything is a business. We’ll see what happens tomorrow,”Connor Bedard stated, per Charlie Roumeliotis. “He’s been a stud this year. Every game, he goes and is giving 110% and making a difference. He’s been great. Me and him are pretty close, and just his approach to the game and his professionalism, it’s great and that means a lot to leadership in our room and everything.“
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Pat Maroon calls out officiating
The Blackhawks lost to the Senators after a very controversial call and video review. Sens’ Tim Stutzle drived into the net and after contact with defenseman Wyatt Kaiser collided with goalie Arvid Soderblom before putting the puck over the goalline.
“Video review supported the Referee’s call on the ice that the puck deflected off of Tim Stützle’s skate and entered the net in a legal fashion,“The NHL explained in their video review statement afterwards. “Further, a challenge initiated by the Situation Room for goaltender interference determined that the actions of Chicago’s Wyatt Kaiser caused Stützle to contact goaltender Arvid Soderblom prior to his goal.”
Patrick Maroon #77 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates with the puck against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period at the United Center on December 07, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
However, veteran Pat Maroon wasn’t having any of that, instead directing his frustration at the league for their decision and stating that the Blackhawks have found themselves on the short end of the stick several times this season.
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“The boys played hard tonight. We battled back. We stuck in there,” Maroon said postgame, per Chicago Sun-Times. “Those calls can go either way, and it seems like they’re not going our way this year for some reason.”
