Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard was supposed to be the next generational talent in the NHL. But so far his overall play on the ice has failed to impress NHL on TNT analyst Paul Bissonnette.
Bedard has gotten off to an inauspicious start to his NHL career with the Blackhawks. While he has certainly shown signs of promise and superstar potential, his numbers haven’t lived up to the hype. After an injury cut short his rookie season, this year he has 46 points through 51 games, which only puts him at T44 in the NHL. His 15 goals is currently barely cracking the Top 100.
Even more discouraging is how the Blackhawks have played as a team. Chicago has the second-worst record in the entire NHL at 16-31-6, only in front of the San Jose Sharks in the cellar. It’s the same exact position they were in last season, too.
And yet on Wednesday night, TNT showcased Connor Bedard against the man he is supposed to eventually reach at the top of the NHL mountain in Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid.
Naturally, the Oilers won the game 4-3. And at the second intermission, the NHL on TNT crew had an extensive breakdown of Bedard’s play and where he needs to grow to play winning hockey at the NHL level.
Specifically, Paul Bissonnette showcased multiple plays where he was critical of the young starlet, even dissing his game “pond hockey.”
“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,” Bissonnette said. “As much good as he does sometimes he doesn’t do great things.”
After multiple highlights showing Connor Bedard getting shut down by McDavid, turning the puck over, taking penalties, and not doing simple things like getting the puck deep in the zone, Bissonnette summed up the issues facing him and the Blackhawks and why they continue to lose games.
“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 added.
“If the Blackhawks want to get back to their dynasties, that’s not how they are going to be playing hockey. 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 of the team and that’s how you’re playing, it’s just not going to work.”
Ouch. Charles Barkley is known for his uncensored criticism of NBA stars on that side of TNT. And sometimes criticism from both he and Shaquille O’Neal can go too far when they are talking about the state of today’s game and today’s superstars.
But this analysis from Paul Bissonnette on Connor Bedard is not that. It’s refreshing because it clearly has some truth behind it. And it’s not some kind of blanket statement on what’s wrong with today’s NHL. It’s pointed criticism of someone who is supposed to be the face of the league, and good on TNT and Bissonnette for not shying away from it, but being willing to highlight it.
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