Connor Bedard’s development has always been the most important part of this season for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Yet, under former head coach Luke Richardson, it seemed as if his progress had stalled a bit — at least offensively.
Richardson was fired on Thursday, with AHL head coach Anders Sorensen coming on as a replacement. One of Sorensen's main tasks will be helping Bedard get back on track.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft has five goals and 14 assists in 26 games after he had 11 goals and 10 assists at the same point last season.
While he has been more responsible defensively, the 19-year-old Bedard and the Blackhawks were hoping for more offensive production in his second year.
“He’s one of those guys we have to get him up the ice and get skating,” Sorensen said. “That’s when he’s at his best. We all see what he can do when the puck’s on his stick. We have to get a way for him to get the puck in motion. That’s the biggest thing right now.”
Bedard called Richardson “a really good guy” and said he was sad seeing him go. But he also was looking forward to working with Sorensen.
“It’s good to have the first skate and get comfortable and talk to him,” Bedard said. “It’s good we all know him a little bit from being at training camps and stuff like that, so it was a good first day.”
While Bedard attracts the most attention, Chicago's offensive trouble runs a lot deeper than its young centre. The Blackhawks signed Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen in free agency, and the two forwards have combined for just 11 goals and 11 assists.
Chicago is averaging 2.42 goals per game, ranked No. 31 in the NHL ahead of only Nashville going into Friday night’s games. The Blackhawks finished with a league-low 178 goals last season.
"Everyone needs to take ownership of this,” captain Nick Foligno said. “The sad part is one person maybe takes the fall, but it’s all of us that need to be better in here. We’re excited to get to work with Anders, and I think Luke would want us to forge ahead, too. He cares a lot about this group and this organization so the best we can do is get moving ahead here and show we can be that team."
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