Connor Bedard given massive new role with the Chicago Blackhawks

Last season, the Chicago Blackhawks landed their cornerstone star at No. 1 overall with Connor Bedard, and after an impressive rookie campaign, he's on track to become one of the best players in the NHL in the very near future. While some believed the team might follow the path of Pittsburgh and Edmonton and hand him the captaincy during his teenage years, they surprisingly opted against that this off-season, officially naming veteran Nick Foligno as the team's new captain.

It's likely only a matter of time until Bedard takes on that role however, and now, he's taken a step towards that, as he appeared on the ice for the team's final pre-season game rocking an 'A', showing that he is already a major leader in that locker room.

At just 19 years old, players and coaches within the organization have marveled at the hard work Bedard puts in behind the scenes. With the belief that it will pay off as the young core the team is building continues to grow, he will more likely than not be the captain when the team believes he is ready. In 68 games during his rookie campaign, Bedard tallied an impressive 22 goals and 61 points, and with some more talent around him this season, the belief around the league is that he could take the jump to a near 100-point player in just his second NHL campaign.

Whether it happens next summer or the one after, it's a matter of when, not if Connor Bedard is rocking the 'C' for the Blackhawks, and with an 'A' on his chest as the team continued a horror start to the pre-season in 2024, he's taken a key step towards becoming a leader as this organization builds around him for the future.