Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks are gearing up for Jeff Blashill’s first season as head coach in the Windy City. There’s tons of work left to be done, but the Hawks are optimistic. Patrick Kane and the Detroit Red Wings, on the other hand, have their work cut out for them in the 2025-26 NHL season.

It’s playoffs or bust for Kane and company. They wouldn’t have it any other way, though. Detroit is desperate for success, but it must first actually make it to the postseason dance.

In Chicago, the demands aren’t as stark, but progress is much-needed for fans to stay hopeful. The pressure is mostly on Bedard, who can feel the weight lay on his shoulders. After struggling during his sophomore year, the former first overall pick is eyeing redemption, bouncing back in commanding fashion.

Kane can relate to some of the feelings Bedard has gone through in his young NHL career. The American ‘Heartbreak Kid’ has recently broken his silence on his thoughts about Bedard, the heir to Kane’s legacy in Chi-town.

Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks displays the puck that was used on his 1000th career point, an assist on a goal by Brandon Saad, against the Winnipeg Jets at the United Center on January 19, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois.

Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks displays the puck that was used on his 1000th career point, an assist on a goal by Brandon Saad, against the Winnipeg Jets at the United Center on January 19, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois.

“[Bedard’s] still a young kid, but he’s got some experience in the league now. He’s probably understanding a little bit more of what to expect on a nightly basis,” Patrick Kane stated, per CHSN’s Blackhawks Breakaway. “There was definitely some phases when I was younger where you feel you hit a little bit of a wall. It might be five, six, seven games, but you don’t want to have that slump during the season.“

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No worries

While fans in Chicago are anxious about extending Bedard’s contract before the end of the 2025-26 season, Kane believes they have nothing to be concerned about.

“I think he’s got a really bright future,” Kane added. “If I was a Blackhawks’ fan or someone in the organization, that’d probably be the last of my worries. He’s a great player, but he also cares a lot, too. He wants to be there, so that’s half the battle.”

Bedard has made his wish to stay in town public repeatedly, and the Blackhawks won’t let him go, so there’s really no reason to lose any sleep over the situation. Regardless, as long as Bedard plays on a contract year, the speculation around the building will only grow.

Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks arrives inside Wrigley Field prior to the 2024 NHL Winter Classic against the St. Louis Blues on December 31, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks arrives inside Wrigley Field prior to the 2024 NHL Winter Classic against the St. Louis Blues on December 31, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

Projected lines

The Blackhawks are determined to flip the script during the 2025-26 campaign. Chicago will start the season with a crucial test against the Florida Panthers on the road. After the Cats raise their Stanley Cup banner, the puck will drop, the NHL season will officially get underway, and the Blackhawks might look very different. According to Chicago Sun-Times, Blashill might roll out the following lines:

ForwardsAndre Burakovsky — Connor Bedard — Ryan DonatoTeuvo Teravainen — Frank Nazar — Tyler BertuzziColton Dach — Jason Dickinson — Ilya MikheyevNick Foligno — Ryan Greene — Landon SlaggertDefensemenAlex Vlasic — Sam RinzelEthan Del Mastro — Connor MurphyWyatt Kaiser — Artyom LevshunovGoaliesSpencer KnightArvid Soderblom

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