The Chicago Blackhawks are embarking into a dramatic NHL offseason during which several key decisions are expected in the Windy City. Amid such uncertainty, reports surfaced indicating Connor Bedard has made up his mind about his participation during the 2025 IIHF World Championship with Team Canada, which Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon have recently joined.
The Blackhawks will learn in which position they will be selecting in the first round of the 2025 NHL entry Draft as the Lottery Draft is scheduled for May 5. Chicago has 13.5% odds of securing the first overall selection, 14.1% of staying in the second overall position, 30.7% of moving one spot down to the third pick, and 41.7% of owning the fourth overall selection in the 2025 draft.
Moreover, Bedard’s Blackhawks are also keeping a close eye on several playoff teams that could part ways with key players — including the Toronto Maple Leafs and star Mitch Marner, who has been linked to Chicago for some time now.
Amid such pivotal decisions, the franchise’s centerpiece may prefer to stay close to team headquarters, should his input be considered in key matters. As a result, it might not be ideal for him to travel across the globe to Sweden and Denmark for the 2025 IIHF World Championship — even if Team Canada, with the likes of MacKinnon and Crosby currently offer a better shot at silverware than the struggling Blackhawks in the NHL.
Sidney Crosby #87 of Team Canada skates against the Team Sweden during the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off at Bell Centre on February 12, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.
According to reports from The Athletic’s Scott Powers, Bedard has turned down an invite from Team Canada to represent the Maple Leaf during the 2025 IIHF World Championship, which will be held from May 9-25 in Sweden and Denmark. The 19-year-old sensation has instead decided to focus on his offseason work ahead of a crucial third-year in the NHL.
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Dream teammates
Less than a week before the international competition kickstarts, Team Canada announced Sidney Crosby has been added to the roster, prompting an immediate morale and skill boost to the lineup. Moreover, according to insider John Shannon, MacKinnon has now joined the roster as well shortly after the Avalanche’s playoff elimination.
The prospect of seeing Bedard, MacKinnon, and Crosby share the ice has long captured the imagination of Canadian hockey fans, but that scenario won’t materialize at the 2025 IIHF World Championship. With Bedard left off Canada’s Nations roster, chances for the three generational talents to play together are dwindling — though a potential reunion at the 2026 Winter Olympics remains on the horizon.
Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks on against the Minnesota Wild during the second period of a preseason game at the United Center on October 04, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
Moreover, Bedard turned the down a great chance to play alongside the 2024 NHL entry Draft’s first overall selection, Macklin Celebrini, as well. The NHL’s latest first overall selections would have formed a dream duo.
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The Great White North
Unless Bedard has a sudden change of heart and reverses course to join the team in Europe, Team Canada will be without the Blackhawks star — a three-time gold medalist with the Maple Leaf at the 2021 U-18 Championship and the 2022 and 2023 World Juniors. For now, his focus appears fully locked on the Stanley Cup and helping Chicago evolve into a legitimate contender in the NHL.
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While Bedard might have other interests than chasing more medals with Team Canada, Crosby is hoping to secure as much silverware as possible with his home country. Crosby owns two Olympic gold medals, one each at Men’s Worlds and World Juniors, and a World Cup title, in May 2025 he will look to add another gold medal to the collection.
