It could be the ideal situation for Bedard to step into with a major market but one that will be patient, too. Bedard is a major piece to general manager Kyle Davidson’s rebuild, but there are other pieces to go. Fans will undoubtedly fill the United Center to see Bedard’s talent, but he will have time to adapt and develop. And like Kane and Toews did as rookies, Bedard arrives to Chicago when expectations have been lowered after recent years. As soon as Bedard’s name is called at the draft, 98 jerseys will hang where 19 and 88 jerseys once did. Bedard may not immediately elevate the Blackhawks to Stanley Cup contender again, but he does push them faster in the right direction and provides them the marketing piece they desperately needed. The Blackhawks sure didn’t have to sit very long with the question of how they were going to replace Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews on and off the ice. Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Bedard, C, Regina (WHL) The 2023 NHL Entry Draft takes place in Nashville on June 28 and 29.
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