Patrick Kane's statement on Connor Bedard's sophomore year ahead of match-up tonight

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Joshua Deeds
November 6, 2024 (10:24 PM)

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Patrick Kane spoke highly of Connor Bedard ahead of tonight's matchup in the United Center.

The Detroit Red Wings, and Chicago Blackhawks will meet for the first time since last Februrary, during Chris Chelios's jersey retirement ceremony.

Kane lit the United Center on fire with his play and scored a win with an overtime goal on goalie Petr Mrazek.

Kane was asked by local Chicago media, who know him well what he thought about Bedard this year.

M: What have you seen from the D over the last year As far as his development and growth?

K: I mean, he's obviously a special player.He does a lot of things that not many guys can do as far as the way he can sit around defenders or get a shot off or even,I think, coming into the league.Maybe his playmaking was a little bit underrated,You see a lot of plays that he makes for his linemates.So he's had a great start to his career.'m sure he'll continue to get better.

M: He said he's probably not going to try to bump you like he did last year, But if he does,you got a response from him.

K: we'll see what happens, last year I think I said that he had the bubble on, so he's lucky I didn't come back to him.hopefully I don't get hit by him this year. it was a pretty good hit up against the wall. I didn't know he had the physicality, so maybe maybe I let up a little bit.

Kane complimented Bedard on multiple aspects of his game including his physicality during last season. Which you could say Kane was complacent, as he let Bedard roughshod him into the boards.

Something he didn't expect from a forward like himself, who has been considered "undersized". Which should teach him never to discount his peers or even rookies!

It's obvious that Kane was correct in his assessment of Bedard's playmaking abilities as he's had highlight-reel plays and passes this season.

Including a no-look pass to one of his Blackhawks teammates, which looked unreal. It led to a Foligno goal on the power play.

Bedard won the Calder Trophy in 2023-2024 with 61 points in 68 games and tonight he will face off against the old guard of the Hawks in the United Center.