Saturday, Oct. 14 should be circled on your calendar now. The third regular season game of Connor Bedard‘s NHL career will be his first in Canada. And it will be in Montreal against an Original Six foe. And it will be against Kirby Dach, who was once the young player around whom the Blackhawks thought they could build. He was on the Empty Netters podcast earlier this week and was asked about his shootout goal to beat the Blackhawks in his first trip back to the United Center — and the celebration that followed. And he didn’t leave any thoughts on the cutting room floor. The dude wanted it and he got it. And now he wants the smoke in Montreal’s home opener this coming season with the possibility that he could reach a career milestone against the team that drafted him third overall.
We’ve already seen some videos over the past few weeks of Bedard working out in various locations with different folks. It looks like he got an invite to one of the more elite camps in the game before the start of rookie camps and development camps: the . BioSteel invites 30 players to work out together, and you can see some of the other names with whom Bedard will work in the tweet below from Ben Pope.
Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek were back on the mic this week with a long “32 Thoughts” podcast episode. As always, it’s a must listen. Among the topics they hit on is the status of Jonathan Toews. Friedman says at least one team — not the Bruins — called about the former Blackhawks captain before he announced he’s taking time away from the game.
Mark Spector at wrote a piece about Connor McDavid and the Oilers that should have everyone’s attention. Leon Draisaitl is quote in the story saying “It’s Cup or bust” this year for the Oilers. And McDavid has made it absolutely, painfully clear that he needs to get out of the Western Conference — if not win it all. Edmonton hired his agent, Jeff Jackson, as their new CEO this summer. McDavid has three years left on his contract, got engaged this summer, and has said all of the things you expect from a superstar on a mission.
This isn’t like Michael Jordan getting the Bulls in the gym after another loss to the Pistons back in the day. There isn’t a Detroit Pistons standing between McDavid’s Oilers and a Stanley Cup Final; the Western Conference is wide open. In the seven seasons (excluding the pandemic bubble playoffs) since the Blackhawks won the Cup in 2015, six different teams have appeared in the Stanley Cup Final on behalf of the Western Conference (only Vegas has gone twice).
Oh, and about his contract being up in three years? McDavid is committed to Edmonton… for now.
“I love playing in Edmonton, and I really feel at home there. Lauren loves being in Edmonton. There are a lot – a lot — of things that check the boxes for us in Edmonton. We’re super comfortable there,” McDavid said. “But with that all being said, it’s three years down the road. We’ve got to kind of see where our lives are at and kind of go from there.
“I don’t say that to raise eyebrows or cause panic. It’s just the way that it is,” he cautioned. “But I love playing in Edmonton, I’m 100 per cent committed to winning in Edmonton with this group…
“And we’re gonna see it through.”
This is something to watch for a number of reasons. First, it feels an awful lot like the best player on the planet just gave his organization an ultimatum to get it done. Second, it sounds like everyone in that room is committed to doing the work. But thirdly and perhaps most importantly, Blackhawks fans should be aware of the trials and tribulations Edmonton has been through and continues to work with around their generational superstar. Because the Bedard Era is just beginning in Chicago.
The New York Rangers announced a number of front office moves this morning. One stands out: Hockey Hall of Famer, U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer and 1998 Olympic gold medalist (among her four Olympic medals) Angela Ruggiero is now a Hockey Operations Adviser for the Blue Shirts. Terrific hire! Love it.
A personal request to the calendar: move faster! PLEASE! I can’t wait for hockey to be back!
Finally, I love it when young guys ball out. And Cubs prospect Alexander Canario is having himself a hot streak right now!
