Connor Bedard, a standout for the Chicago Blackhawks, was heralded as the next generational talent in the NHL. However, his performance on the ice has not met expectations, especially according to NHL on TNT analyst Paul Bissonnette. Despite showing glimpses of his superstar potential, Bedard’s numbers have been disappointing; after an injury-shortened rookie season, he currently tallies 46 points in 51 games, ranking T44 in the NHL, while his 15 goals inch him into the Top 100.
Moreover, the Blackhawks are struggling as a team, holding the second-worst record in the NHL at 16-31-6, only ahead of the struggling San Jose Sharks. This stagnation echoes last season’s performance.
On Wednesday night, TNT featured Bedard in a matchup against Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid, who represents the pinnacle of NHL success that Bedard aspires to reach. The Oilers secured a 4-3 victory, and during the second intermission, the NHL on TNT team offered an extensive analysis of Bedard’s play and highlighted areas needing improvement to succeed in the NHL.
Bissonnette pointed out several aspects of Bedard’s game that require attention, even labeling his style as “pond hockey.” He remarked, “Sometimes I see him continue to try things that aren’t going to work at the NHL level like soft plays that are just going to get picked off and go back the other way. As much good as he does sometimes he doesn’t do great things.” After showcasing multiple instances where Bedard was thwarted by McDavid—turning the puck over, taking penalties, and neglecting basic plays like getting the puck deep—Bissonnette encapsulated the challenges facing both the young star and the Blackhawks in their ongoing struggles.
“There’s so many details to his game that he’s lacking right now. Yes, he might put up 30-35 goals a season and get his 50-55 assists by playing power play and getting all these minutes. But they’re going to continue to lose hockey games. That is pond hockey,” Bissonnette elaborated. He underscored the need for the Blackhawks to adopt a more disciplined style of play for the team’s revival. “If he’s playing like that they’re going to be a lottery team because it’s going to trickle down the lineup. If you’re the best player on the team and that’s how you’re playing, it’s just not going to work.”
This candid critique echoes the famously blunt commentary from Charles Barkley on NBA players. While Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal have faced scrutiny for their harsh assessments, Bissonnette’s analysis stands out as constructive and grounded in reality. His insights into Bedard’s performance are not merely sweeping remarks about today’s NHL; they are targeted observations about a player expected to be the league’s face. Kudos to TNT and Bissonnette for addressing these issues candidly.
