Blackhawks' Bedard Effect continues to have an impact – Hockey Writers – Chicago Blackhawks

If there's one thing Chicago Blackhawks fans are familiar with, it's the “Bedard Effect,” which has resonated since day one. Starting with a team that sells $5.2 million in season tickets after winning the draft lottery, they know they will be selecting Connor Bedard for the first time in the 2023 NHL Draft, to be the fourth best in the NHL in attendance last season. They saw their highest points since 2019-2020, even though the team was the second worst in the league. In addition, Bedard had the best-selling jersey of 2023-24.

All those complexities of Bedard are known from the perspective of the fans. Even him winning the Calder Trophy in June brought another wave of excitement, but how does that translate on the ice? Players have noticed the “Bedard Effect” before, even if it's not exactly that phrase, so it was interesting to see it brought up in two different contexts this summer.

Bedard Lures Players To Chicago

When players sign with new teams, they always state a certain theme: they want to see the power of competition, and for the Blackhawks, Bedard plays a big part in that, as his impact on the ice is visible for all to see. He led his team in scoring (61 points in 68 games), and the team played him differently in the lineup, most notably after he missed a month with a broken jaw. The fans see it, the coaches see it, but most importantly the players see it, and now it's affecting how teams view the Blackhawks.

The Blackhawks were the most active team when free agency opened on July 1, making a total of eight signings (seven new players and one re-signing), and one of them was goaltender Laurent Brossoit. When talking about his decision to sign with the team, this quote stood out, “I think (Chicago) has a bright future. If you look at what they've done in the last three years, it's something like the first eight players in the last three years. Bedard is a big name there. Obviously, there's a little bit of a Bedard effect where you're hearing rumblings about a lot of different players willing to go to Chicago because of the frenzy of free agency, just kind of on the back end knowing a few would have thought about going to Chicago, so that helps.” (from 'New Blackhawks goalie Laurent Brossoit poised to prove himself in big role' – The Athletic – 07/18/2024).

Last year was the year to introduce Bedard to the league, and while most players thought Chicago would be the most popular destination for him, free agency showed how this trend can continue with a rebuild. Patrick Kane has always been a great magnet to draw players to Chicago, even if they fall back. Now, it's Bedard. This is even more important when you think about the 2025-26 season and the free agents next summer, including Mitch Marner (Toronto Maple Leafs), who might not even be in the conversation for Chicago if not for him. I believe this summer was a good precursor to what the team can do; knowing one word will be a draw.

Bedard Helping Form Team on Ice

Chicago knows they can get players, but what about culture? Nick Foligno spoke on the “Dropping The Gloves” podcast on Aug. 9, and gave wonderful insight (in general). This statement has weight:

It will take everyone. You don't go from where we were to Stanley Cup contenders, but you can jump certain levels if you do it right. I saw it. I've seen teams do it, and I know there are a lot of proud guys who don't have it; I'm proud, the professional guys who come in who want to be better players or help this team move forward, and I'm happy to bring us all together because I think we're a team now that can really come together as a team and surprise other people.

And you know, we're not going to put a number on it, but we're going to be a very competitive hockey team. I think if we have that with the combination of Connor Bedard and Alex Vlasic being a year older, and some other guys coming in, we could be a really fun, fun team to watch.

In this sense, talking about the “Bedard Effect” in ice is very important in reconstruction. In addition to Bedard's individual success, his teammates also benefited from playing with him. Philipp Kurashev had a career year playing on his line. Jason Dickinson thrived while playing with him, as did Ryan Donato and even Foligno. It's one thing when players know that teams have a great player; it's another one where he is a person who lifts everyone around him, makes the team successful and makes the players eager to be a part of the Blackhawks.

Related: Connor Bedard Caps Off Whirlwind Season With Calder Trophy Win

When Bedard won the Calder Trophy, he emphasized in his speech that he didn't do it alone, and Foligno echoed similar sentiments. It takes a village. Obviously, having a talent pipeline with prospects like Frank Nazar, Artyom Levshunov, and Oliver Moore, with young talent like Kevin Korchinski and Lukas Reichel, and seeing “working ownership” being put under head coach Luke Richardson, and respected veteran guys. Foligno, Seth Jones, and Alec Martinez, also made a difference. There is a trickle-down effect associated with the Bedard effect, which we are seeing in play as we speak.

It's only been a year since Bedard arrived in Chicago, but it brings me back to what Taylor Hall said about him in September 2023: “He's kind of the whole package,” and that impact is evident on and off the ice by import. players and seeing how it works on the ice. The “Bedard Effect” continues to help the Blackhawks' goal of building a winning team, which the organization has always hoped for. It's great to see the players say how it comes together and the zest they continue to deliver.