Chicago Blackhawks Unveil New Plan For Struggling Forward Connor Bedard
The Chicago Blackhawks andAnders Sorensen have a new plan for center Connor Bedard, move the puck more often.
The Chicago Blackhawks have to dig themselves out of a hole, and Anders Sorensen is working his magic to do so. Part of his plan is to help Connor Bedard find a way out of his slump and change the game plan for his 2nd season in the NHL.
Someone who scored 61 points last season, should see a leap in production, and significant improvement correct? You'd think, but under former Coach Luke Richardson he'd been lost at sea it seems, without direction or a navigator.
Now, Sorensen will implement a new plan to help Bedard achieve his goals during his sophomore year in the NHL.
«He's a really good person,» Sorensen said. «That's a huge part of why he's so successful. But he's [also] a really smart hockey person, so just getting his thoughts on things is important. He watches a lot of hockey and I watch a lot of hockey, so we exchange ideas.
«It comes back to [the fact] that the players are the ones playing. Sometimes they see things that we don't see as coaches, and trying to get their feel for that is important.»
Sorensen has emphasized the importance of continuous motion for Bedard, both when it comes to teammates trying to get him the puck and him getting in position to receive the puck.
Sorensen has changed the game plan and wants Bedard to look for defensemen who will join in the rush, and look for them to move the puck to.
The goal is to utilize the defenseman to create space for players like Connor Bedard, Ilya Mikheyev, and Philipp Kurashev, the Blackhawks 1st line.
«Whenever you can add more guys and more options, it makes the game easier, so that's great for us,» Bedard said. «We want [the defensemen] shooting the puck, whether it's off the rush or off low-to-high [passes].»
Bedard's been on the scoreboard the last two games, tallying two assists on the Alex Vlasic power-play goal against the Jets, and an assist on Taylor Hall's goal against the Rangers. An uptick in production under Anders Sorensen has begun, and he could fetch a third point and a streak if he tallies an assist or goal against the Islanders on Thursday.
But what Bedard needs to work on is his shooting, as he's only scored five goals in 28 games, and needs to improve if his production is to improve this season. It's a necessity for the Hawks offense for Bedard to turn on the consistent scoring we saw last year.
For now, he'll continue to work on his game and improve under interim coach Anders Sorensen.
«I feel all right,» Bedard said. «There's great games; there's bad games. You always want to be getting better, so that's all you can focus on.»
It sounds like he has won over the locker room. And Bedard has bought into his vision, a possible recipe for success.
POLL |
DECEMBRE 11 | 145 ANSWERS Chicago Blackhawks Unveil New Plan For Struggling Forward Connor Bedard Do you think interim coach Anders Sorensen of the Chicago Blackhawks can turn around center Connor Bedard's game? |
Yes | 105 | 72.4 % |
No | 40 | 27.6 % |
List of polls |
|
2 hours ago | By Sam Walker Kyle Davidson's first-round selection at 2025 NHL draft could put his job in jeopardy |
|
2 hours ago | By Sam Walker Former Blackhawks blueliner involved in shocking transaction by Carolina Hurricanes |
|
3 hours ago | By Sam Walker Winnipeg Jets take significant step in signing former Blackhawk Jonathan Toews |
|
4 hours ago | By Joshua Deeds Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews makes shocking gesture towards Elvis Merzlikins and steals his goalie stick |
|
7 hours ago | By Joshua Deeds Hockey community mourns the tragic passing of a 91-year old legend |
|
8 hours ago | By Joshua Deeds Four Chicago Blackhawks Prospects Receive Nominations For Hobey Baker Award |
|
11 hours ago | By Joshua Deeds Canadian NHL powerhouse releases a statement on signing Jonathan Toews |
|
12 hours ago | By Sam Walker The Blackhawks call for a press conference after three players are missing at practice |
Previously on HawksInsider