NHL News: Jeff Blashill delivers sincere admission about Connor Bedard, Blackhawks upon arrival in Chicago

The Chicago Blackhawks have officially entered a new era of hockey for the Original Six franchise, hiring Jeff Blashill as their head coach for the 2025–26 NHL season. As he was introduced to the organization in Chicago, Blashill made a powerful admission to Connor Bedard and the rest of the players, who are all eager to right the wandering ship after a tumultuous year.

Blashill, like Bedard and the Blackhawks, will enter the upcoming campaign with a thirst for redemption, determined to prove the critics and skeptics wrong. Much like the sentiment in Chicago’s locker room, Blashill failed to meet expectations during his first tenure as an NHL head coach, but he returns with renewed faith and excitement, focused on making a firm statement through his team’s performances.

When there’s a will, there’s a way—or so they say—and the Blackhawks, under Blashill’s guidance, will head into the offseason with their sights set on taking the next step. Chicago is far from being a contender in the NHL, and Blashill’s comments reflected that the team’s vision is focused further down the road.

Still, they will be looking for signs of growth next season, as it takes time to establish dominance in the anarchic, ever-changing jungle landscape of the league.

Head Coach Jeff Blashill of the Detroit Red Wings looks during third period action against the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center on October 20, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida.

Blashill is finally back in a head coaching job in the NHL—which he was craving—but most importantly, he’s surrounded by stars like Bedard and promising talent that could become the talk of the town in the future.

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“For me, this job, at this moment, with this team, was the exact job I wanted,” Jeff Blashill openly admitted during his introduction as the 42nd head coach in Blackhawks history, per Chicago Sun-Times reporter Ben Pope on X.

Looking beyond the main star

Blashill is taking over behind a bench with every spotlight fixed on Connor Bedard. However, there are plenty of diamonds in the rough who might begin to show their true potential in the coming years.

Players like Frank Nazar, Artyom Levshunov, and Oliver Moore are just a few names who could blossom into stardom—with Nazar being the most solidified of the group so far. There are even more potential stars in the Blackhawks’ system, waiting for their moment in the NHL lineup, and Blashill is definitely confident on where the organization currently stands.

Frank Nazar #91 of the Chicago Blackhawks warms up before a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at the United Center on January 18, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois

“The scouts here have done an excellent job. We have a number of great young players,” Blashill added. “We have an opportunity to have depth at every position and potential superstars at every position, and that’s very unique in this league.”

No doubts in the franchise’s messiah

Blashill has been around top talent in the league, both during his tenure as head coach in Detroit and in his assistant coach stints—like being around Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Vasilevskiy in Tampa Bay. Therefore, his opinion on Bedard’s growth is one that should make fans in Chi-town very excited.

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“Connor [Bedard] is going to get to another level,” Blashill boldy stated. “I don’t think there’s any question. Because like other superstars in this league, he has the drive and want.”

After his Calder Trophy rookie season, Bedard suffered a sophomore slump in his second year with the Blackhawks, which visibly frustrated him—along with the team results, which were far from encouraging. Blashill will be faced with the crucial task of helping Bedard regain his confidence after such a dramatic season at just 19 years of age.