Bedard 'a lot more ready' for 2nd season

Chicago Blackhawks sensation Connor Bedard is feeling much more prepared for the 2024-25 season after a whirlwind rookie campaign.

"I feel a lot more ready to come (here)," Bedard said from training camp, per NHL.com's Tracey Myers. "The excitement was there last year, but I think I just feel more relaxed."

He continued: "It's just good to have the year under my belt. I think when you're a rookie, everything seems like a bigger deal to the outside people. I'm just excited to get in another year and play hockey."

Bedard entered his first season in the league surrounded by tremendous hype after being drafted first overall. He was widely considered the most impressive prospect since Connor McDavid, who was drafted in 2015. His debut campaign was limited due to a broken jaw sustained in January but, after scoring 61 points in 68 games, he won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.

His Blackhawks didn't impress, though, and finished 31st in the NHL last season with 52 points. Heading into 2024-25, Bedard wants to use that as fuel to improve.

"It was frustrating," he said. "We lost a lot of hockey games last year and that weighs on you, and for me, it was really difficult. Even going into the summer, it was a big motivator for sure."

Chicago made several moves to give Bedard some help up front. Most notably, the Blackhawks signed forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen to round out a top six that struggled to create offense last season.

Although there are plenty of newcomers in the lineup, all eyes will be on Bedard's next act. He hopes to set career highs across the board but wouldn't divulge specific statistical projections.

"I'd never tell you, but I have stuff in my head," Bedard joked to The Athletic's Mark Lazerus.