How will the addition of Connor Bedard change the trajectory of the Chicago Blackhawks?
Frank Seravalli was joined by Colby Cohen to discuss how Connor Bedard can change the Chicago Blackhawks trajectory on the latest episode of Daily Faceoff Live.
Frank Seravalli: To spin it forward for the Chicago Blackhawks, they’re kind of in a really interesting spot now. Because they have mapped out a long-term build, talking 3-5 years down the road with the prospects that they’ve been able to draft. They had three first-round picks last year in Montreal. And now it sort of feels like adding someone that is a talent of Bedard’s quality and level. It really ratchets up the timeline.
It’s funny to say timeline because Kyle Davidson has never given a timeline in terms of when the Blackhawks might expect to be competitive again. So maybe not in terms of a fair date or target in terms of years but just in the short-term of how the Blackhawks approach this summer. You’re now going to make sure you surround Connor Bedard with the proper support pieces to have a successful first year in the NHL, regardless of wherever that benchmark might be to determine success.
That at least changes the Blackhawks outlook in the very short term this summer. What do you sense the reaction will be inside the Blackhawks’ front office to help prepare for Bedard’s arrival?
Colby Cohen: You know what Frank, I don’t necessarily agree with that you have to now start surrounding him. And I know you’re not suggesting going out and signing long-term contracts and bringing in big deals but I don’t think it really changes much. And the reason why is to look no further than the New York Rangers. And I know Lafreniere, Kakko, and those guys have not panned out to be star players but to me it’s a cautionary tale of why you don’t rush a rebuild.
If you look at the Rangers, they’ve got a core of guys that look slow in the playoffs that are ageing. You’ve got a core of young players that don’t look like they’ve developed into what you would have hoped. Because you signed guys like Panarin and you gave Kreider the extension that you did. And I think that stunts guy’s growth in New York. And now all of a sudden I think the Rangers are caught in the middle of no man’s land. So I think that’s a great cautionary tale for Kyle Davidson and the Blackhawks, stay the course. Get some rental players this summer, bring in a couple of guys like you did last year like Domi and Athanasiou.
Here’s the other thing I’ll say. The team is probably not going to have a good season next year when it comes to wins and losses but Connor Bedard is a winner. He’s won in the World Juniors, he’s won at other levels. This is not a guy you have to worry about coming in as a “loser-type player”. And the other thing is, you’re surrounding him with not just players but staff. Luke Richardson, he’s played as many games as any coach right now currently in the NHL.
You’ve got Kevin Dean and Derek King, these are successful NHL players that know how to connect and support young players. So I don’t think it changes the trajectory of things other than the ceiling is higher with Connor Bedard because you need a cornerstone and a star center. But I think they stay the course, do one-year deals this summer, do not rush to spend cap space. Let’s use the cap space at the draft, weaponize it, get more currency, get maybe into the first round yet again.
You can watch the rest of the episode here…