CHICAGO — Connor Bedard is focusing on finding the right locations on the ice to improve his scoring amid a slump. The Chicago Blackhawks forward emphasized the importance of positioning himself well to receive the puck in order to create more scoring opportunities. “I need to locate better spots for myself and make it easier to handle the puck,” Bedard noted, expressing that his current struggles stem from not getting the puck in advantageous positions.

At 19 years old, Bedard is experiencing the realities of a challenging second season in the NHL after being the top pick in the 2023 draft. As he prepared for a game against the Anaheim Ducks, it was clear that his recent performance had been below expectations, with no goals and four assists in the last nine outings.

The Blackhawks recognize that his development is crucial, and coach Luke Richardson is taking steps to facilitate his progress. He expressed optimism that Bedard’s scoring will soon improve, and to support this, he shifted Bedard’s position from center to left wing for the matchup against Anaheim. He also paired Bedard with teammates Jason Dickinson and Joey Anderson on the top line. Given the team’s struggles, with just one goal in regulation during their past five games, Richardson is experimenting with various line combinations to ignite the offense.

Richardson is clear about the objective: “We’re aiming for more shots on goal, which should benefit both Connor and the team,” he explained, noting Dickinson’s strong skating and center play could alleviate some of the pressure on Bedard. This allows the young player to concentrate on his game without the added stress of face-offs.

Last season, Bedard impressed the hockey world, living up to the immense expectations with an impressive performance that included 22 goals and a leading 39 assists in 68 games, ultimately earning him the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL rookie of the year. The Blackhawks bolstered their roster over the summer to provide Bedard with better opportunities this season, yet results have not met those expectations.

Currently, Bedard has accumulated three goals and ten assists over the first 18 games, a slight decrease compared to his rookie season’s ten goals and seven assists in the same time frame. His shooting percentage has dropped to 5.6%, and his face-off percentage has also declined to 29.3%, compared to higher figures from his debut year.

With Bedard finding it difficult to regain his edge, Chicago has struggled to a 6-11-1 record, following a disappointing last place finish in the Central Division last season. They went into the game against Anaheim having lost four of their last five matches.

“I find it frustrating, but I need to focus on playing in the moment rather than dwelling on past games,” Bedard commented on his situation. Following a discussion with Richardson, he was encouraged to simplify his game and emulate the straightforward play style of his new linemates. “It’s about getting him skating forward and minimizing overthinking. Early, a simple shot could open things up for more plays later on,” Richardson advised.