Connor Bedard isn’t having the best season, and Monday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche was no exception. He finished with a -3 rating—and also had one of the worst shifts imaginable. Now, fans are all saying the exact same thing about what happened…
Bedard had an incredible rookie season in the NHL. Despite playing for one of the worst teams in the league, the Chicago Blackhawks, he proved he could create magic—scoring goals and setting up assists out of almost nothing. He led all rookies in both categories, making it well-deserved when he was awarded the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie last summer.
Many expected Connor Bedard—and the Blackhawks—to take a big step forward in his sophomore season, but that hasn’t been the case. Chicago has only the San Jose Sharks behind them in the league standings, and Bedard hasn’t looked as dominant as he did in his rookie year. He currently has 52 points in 65 games and has faced criticism throughout the season for his play and demeanor on the ice.
Connor Bedard’s bad luck
Connor Bedard has managed just three points in his last ten games and was held off the scoresheet against Colorado as the Blackhawks fell 3-0. He also had a brutal shift that left fans talking. First, he took a cross-check to the back from Ryan Lindgren, sending him to the ice. As he was down, Josh Manson attempted to clear the puck—only for it to strike Bedard in the neck area.
It was a tough break for Bedard, who looked shaken as he skated to the bench. On social media, fans were stunned by how opponents are treating him—and how difficult it seems for him to draw a penalty.
“Props for getting right back up after that,” one user wrote.
“At what point do we call this what it is? Bedard is getting targeted HARD, and the refs are just watching,” another said.
“Getting the Crosby rookie treatment,” a third added.
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