Photo credit: Yahoo Sports
As the NHL continues to enjoy their summer an off season, big head hockey compared Blackhawks Connor Bedard’s rookie stats with former Blackhawks legend Patrick Kane’s first season.
Bedard vs Kane’s rookie seasons:
68 — Games — 82
21 — Goals — 21
61 — Goints — 72
.90 — Pts/game — .88
✅ — Calder — ✅Chicago’s really just running back the small, flashy, superstar 1st overall pick again. pic.twitter.com/J1dych6l17
— Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) July 28, 2024
The stats are showing that Bedard had outperformed Patrick Kane in their rookie seasons as Bedard would only play 68 games after suffering a broken jaw compared to 82 games and still had more points per game than Kane with .90 compared to .88.
Connor Bedard on Patrick Kane’s return to Chicago:
“I’m just pumped for the video tribute. I think it’s going to be pretty nasty. He had some sick highlights here. I’ve watched every one of his mixtapes probably 100 times.”
Yeah, us too. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/VienKcx3QZ
— Ovi (@OviClapBomb) February 21, 2024
Both scored the same number of goals, and both won the Calder trophy. This rookie season for Bedard has been a roller coaster as he was on a cross-country tour at the beginning to show off his talents and to show other NHL teams what the Blackhawks had drafted.
Connor Bedard lays a body check on Patrick Kane 💥 pic.twitter.com/8qodBx0Xk3
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 26, 2024
He then was gripped in a controversy with former Blackhawks winger Corey Perry and then suffered his broken jaw in the new year which kept him out for several weeks.
Patrick Kane on Connor Bedard’s hit on him: “He’s lucky he had the bubble on or I was going after him.” 😂 #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/HDB8L7qbKi
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) February 26, 2024
The 19-year-old superstar in the making had impressive year with 68 games played, scored 22 goals with 39 assists for 61 points and had 21 power play points.
“I’m pretty sure he wasn’t too serious. … I heard that and thought it was pretty funny. He got the last laugh on us, but it was good to kind of hear that, joking about it.”
—Connor Bedard on Patrick Kane saying he would’ve retaliated for a hit if not for Bedard’s “bubble” mask pic.twitter.com/saVtVKsMjc
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) February 28, 2024
General manager Kyle Davidson has improved his roster dramatically as he has spent his money and shored up numerous positions including the forward position, defence and goaltending.
With these changes and the return of Taylor Hall, it’s likely Bedard will have an even better season next year as the Blackhawks are preparing to take another step forward in their goal of getting back into the playoffs and potentially going on a Stanley Cup run in the next several years.