What problem-solving looks like to Blackhawks star Connor Bedard
When Connor Bedard was touted as the next top NHL rookie, many scouts pointed to the way he thinks the game at such a high level.
Now in his second year with the Chicago Blackhawks, Bedard is being leaned on heavily to lead the charge as the team looks to get back into the playoff conversation. They were one of the bottom-feeders in 2024-25, but there’s hope that, with Bedard leading the way, they’ll turn things around sooner rather than later.
Among the veterans that the Blackhawks brought in over the summer are Stanley Cup champions Alec Martinez and Patrick Maroon, as well as Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen and T.J. Brodie. Mixed in with a young core, the Hawks are a team on the rise – even if it’s just a slow one, for now.
On an episode of Frankly Speaking with Daily Faceoff insider Frank Seravalli, Bedard opened up about how he deals with challenges on the ice, and what allows him to come out on top:
Frank Seravalli: “One thing that you said, I raised an eyebrow; you said problem-solving on the ice. What does that look like for you?
Connor Bedard: “It happens 100 times in a game where even off the puck, you’re looking where to go, what space to be in. Then when you get the puck, there’s not a lot of room on the ice. You have to see where guys are, problem-solve that, find the open guy, or hold on to the puck. I feel like the whole game is problem-solving. We do a lot of that where you get the puck and do a shoulder check, you got to look, see where guys are, whatever.”
Frank Seravalli: “It’s interesting, I’ve never heard it explained like that, but you’re also doing it in practice at full speed. How does that translate, or what pace would you say that compares to in an NHL game?
Connor Bedard: “We’re going hard and then there’s some stuff where maybe it’s like simulating a power play or something where you’re not always skating as fast as you can. Lots of people get mixed up with hard work because you can be working really hard but barely moving. I think that’s the thing, is just thinking the game. That’s probably the rarest skill: hockey IQ. And I think if you can do what you can to work on that, it’s going to help you.”
You can watch the full episode below: