The progress within the Chicago Blackhawks organization since Connor Bedard's rookie season last year has been non-existent.
As it stands, the Blackhawks are the worst team in the NHL, owning a grand total of 30 points through 41 games, the half-season milestone.
Regardless, Bedard is proving he's the No. 1 overall player that the Blackhawks drafted him to be, leading the team with 37 points. It's not only the 19-year-old's output on paper, however. Bedard is continuously exemplifying a special sense of hockey IQ along with other rare attributes, such as his quick release and nose for the puck in tight situations.
The Blackhawks spent the offseason adding some veteran pieces around Bedard so he could begin flourishing with the right influences around him. They added Taylor Hall, the No. 1 overall pick in 2010 that's bounced around to several teams, along with more skill in Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi.
But it hasn't really helped the bottom line in production; the Blackhawks rank No. 30 overall in goals and are No. 29 overall in expected goals rate according to Moneypuck.com.
Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson continues to set focus on starting to make steps forward in a rebuild that has kept Chicago outside of the playoffs since 2020.
"Yes, yes. That's the most important thing. I don't want to be in 32nd place," the GM said.
When prompted about how Bedard feels regarding the direction of the organization, he echoed the same sentiment, as NHL insider Elliotte Friedman pointed out in his "32 Thoughts" column on Thursday.
"He doesn't want to be in 32nd place, no one does. Understanding what else is happening in the organization, what we're thinking moving forward. All of that is very important for him to understand to some extent... I'll tell you what's happening and what I know, not what could be. That's where you get your head out over your skis and that's false until you see a deliverable on that."
Unlike other sports, hockey takes fluidity throughout an entire roster for success; it doesn't just rely on the prowess of one player. So there are a lot of growing pains happening around Bedard in finding the right ways to make the best of his young career in Chicago.
"We're always open and seeing what's available and what could be done in terms of trying to push things forward in a different way. But that's less tangible than saying, 'This player is really taking a step. He's getting close.' That I can say with 100 per cent certainty when I talk to a player. Making sure there's an understanding of the full picture organizationally is important."
Davidson is looking to add more long-term future pieces to join Bedard in a core that can win a Stanley Cup by building through the draft. He was reported to have attempted to trade his 2025 first rounder for the No. 4 overall pick in last year's draft owned by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Columbus did not agree.
That outcome is now looking to have aged well for Chicago, who has the best chance to secure its second No. 1 overall pick in three years.
He was OK with the risks that trade would have brought now playing Monday morning quarterback.
"You have to understand what you're doing has purpose and what you're getting has value for you. You believe that piece you're receiving is going to make you better. That's what I focus on. I don't focus on the what-could-happen because that has to be baked in. Otherwise it's reckless. You have to understand what you are giving away could be something really, really valuable. There's risk in everything you do."
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