Blackhawks center Connor Bedard spoke with the media for the first times since both injuring his shoulder and signing his blockbuster new contract on Monday afternoon. He spoke about a number of topics, from the shoulder injury and his timeline to return to his new contract, potentially being the next captain in Chicago and… the possibility of a franchise icon returning.
Bedard on playing with Patrick Kane, other new Blackhawks
We’ll start with Bedard talking about a potential return of Patrick Kane to the Blackhawks.
“I don’t know what I could say to persuade his decision, but we’d all be so excited to have a player like that. That would be incredible to get to play with him and learn from him. Hopefully he decides to come back. It would make us a way better team.”
Bedard added that he can’t imagine what Kane’s first game as a Blackhawk would be like in the United Center, saying it would add a lot of juice to the room and Blackhawks fans. So count him as on board with bringing back 88. And part of that is the team’s desire to improve.
“We want to take a big step this year. We want to be a playoff team. That’s our only goal.”
Bedard was asked about the additions the Blackhawks have made via trade and free agency this summer.
“I think we’ve had a great summer. Getting Bo [Byram], he’s going to be one of the best defensemen in the league… he’s one of the most skilled players in the league. His motivation to prove [he’s a No. 1 defenseman] is unbelievable … Then obviously getting Ian [Cole] and Cole [Smith] in free agency, [Jordan] Greenway as well, a lot of pieces, we’ve added a lot of pieces that can help our team & make us better. It’s hard not to be happy.”
Bedard joked that no player in the league has cross-checked him as much as Cole, so he’s thrilled that they’ll be going to battle together now.
Bedard on his new contract
He told us that, despite the outside noise, there was never a concern about getting a deal done to keep him in Chicago.
“I don’t think there was any stress involved with it. I think we both knew that it wasn’t going to take too many calls or meetings to get it done.”
Regarding his new contract, Bedard said the $9.8M annual signing bonus on the deal was the Blackhawks’ idea. I asked him if he was mindful of the big picture in Chicago when taking less than Leo Carlsson got on his offer sheet from Philadelphia.
“I’m very happy with the amount of money I’m making. It’s a lot. The offer sheet…is going to be a different value. That didn’t change anything I was thinking. Chicago is really the only place I want to play. We are such a close group. We’re keeping tabs on each other all summer. When you get that kind of camaraderie and family aspect, it makes it that much more fun to play hockey.”
Blackhawks center Connor BedardBedard on his injury
Bedard talked about coming back from his shoulder injury. He had surgery two weeks ago, so it’s still relatively fresh and he wouldn’t say anything about the projected four-month timeline for a return. But he’s working on recovering every day, and can’t wait to get back on the ice.
“I’m going to do everything I can to make this as quick as possible, and as well-done as possible. … Once you’re playing hockey, you’re playing hockey. You can’t go out there and play scared or anything.”
Bedard on becoming the Blackhawks’ captain
Finally, Bedard was asked about the possibility of becoming the next captain of the Blackhawks. As he always does, he noted that there are many guys in the room who could wear the C in the future. But he said it would be an honor.
“It would be special for sure. Just getting to play for the Blackhawks in general, without any of that, is the best thing in the world. If I [were] to become a captain… it would be so special, and something I wouldn’t take for granted for a second.”
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