As the dust settles on the 2024-25 NHL season and the summer of 2025 heats up, attention naturally drifts to the league`s brightest young stars. While names like Macklin Celebrini are generating significant buzz following impressive rookie campaigns, there`s a curious observation emerging around the Chicago Blackhawks` phenom, Connor Bedard. Despite his electrifying talent, Bedard sometimes feels like he`s become something of an afterthought in certain discussions about the league`s elite youth movement. This isn`t a slight against Bedard himself, whose skill is undeniable, but rather a reflection of the challenging environment the Blackhawks have provided for him in his initial two seasons.
Bedard, now a 19-year-old veteran of two NHL seasons, saw his offensive production dip slightly in his sophomore year, posting 67 points over 82 games after a more prolific rookie pace. More tellingly, his underlying numbers, such as a cumulative minus-80 rating and faceoff win percentage consistently below 40%, highlight the immense burden placed upon him. While it`s far too early to hit the panic button – Bedard possesses elite skill and ample time to develop – the situation does warrant mild concern. He simply hasn`t been as well-insulated or supported by established talent as some of his peers navigating similar rebuilds.
Consider, for instance, Macklin Celebrini`s rookie year in San Jose. While the Sharks were undoubtedly also in a rebuilding phase, Celebrini benefited from the presence of a veteran like Alex Wennberg. Signed in the summer of 2024, Wennberg didn`t arrive with superstar fanfare, but he provided crucial support, playing significant minutes and handling over 1,000 faceoffs in 2024-25. He performed much of the necessary “heavy lifting,” allowing Celebrini to transition into the league without shouldering *every* difficult matchup and defensive responsibility right away.
Bedard hasn`t had that kind of reliable veteran complement, particularly at center. Last offseason, the Blackhawks made additions like wingers Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi, and defensemen Alec Martinez and TJ Brodie. While these moves aimed to add experience, the results were mixed; Martinez retired, Brodie was bought out, and the others provided only moderate impact. Fast forward to July 2025, and the Blackhawks find themselves with over $22 million in cap space, a seemingly advantageous position, yet one without obvious, impactful free agents to sign in what`s considered a thin class. This leaves the trade market as a potential, perhaps necessary, avenue to acquire the needed talent.
Comparing the rebuild trajectories, San Jose appears to have assembled a promising young core around Celebrini more rapidly. With players like Will Smith and William Eklund showing offensive promise, first-round defenseman Sam Dickinson developing, and second-overall pick Michael Misa added in the 2025 draft, the Sharks seem to have multiple complementary pieces emerging. Chicago certainly has valuable prospects in Frank Nazar, defenseman Artyom Levshunov (a potential cornerstone), and 2025 third-overall pick Anton Frondell. However, the overall picture feels less certain and perhaps a step behind San Jose`s emerging group.
Historically, many generational talents have started their NHL journeys alongside other elite players who helped share the load and accelerate the team`s competitive window. Wayne Gretzky had Mark Messier, Sidney Crosby had Evgeni Malkin, and Connor McDavid has Leon Draisaitl. Connor Bedard, through his first two seasons, has arguably lacked a linemate or fellow center even remotely in that stratosphere. He`s been, quite literally, navigating a challenging environment largely on his own.
The silver lining for the Blackhawks remains their substantial cap space and the highly anticipated, loaded free agent class of 2026. They are well-positioned financially to make a significant splash next summer, offering the enticing prospect of playing alongside a prime Connor Bedard as a major recruitment tool. The critical question, however, is whether they can afford to wait a full season before bringing in more substantial, immediate help. Leaving Bedard to bear the brunt of the competition on an “island” for another year risks not only hindering his development but potentially eroding the positive environment crucial for a young superstar`s growth.
