Is 19-Year-Old Connor Bedard Ready to Lead the Blackhawks as Captain?

The Chicago Blackhawks stand at a pivotal crossroads as the 2024-25 NHL season approaches, with the captaincy vacant since Jonathan Toews' tenure ended following the 2022-23 season. The debate intensifies around Connor Bedard, the 19-year-old phenom, and his potential to lead as the team's youngest captain.

While up until this point there hasn't been any official reports of Bedard being named, or being considered for the role of the team's next captain, there has been plenty of media attention given to the Blackhawks' vacant captaincy. NHL Network certainly got the conversation going among those longing for hockey to return with a post on X asking "Should the Blackhawks give Bedard the 'C' in year two?"

Connor Bedard's Rookie Season: A Glimpse of Leadership Potential

Connor Bedard's debut season was nothing short of spectacular, boasting 22 goals and 39 assists . His remarkable performance won him the Calder Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year , a testament to his skill and impact on the ice despite the Blackhawks finding themselves near the bottom of the NHL standings for the second straight season.

However, the question looms: Does Bedard possess the maturity and leadership skills required to captain the Blackhawks at such a young age?

Veteran Insights: O'Brien and Upshall Weigh In

Former NHL defenseman Shane O’Brien and his counterpart, Scottie Upshall, provided contrasting views on Connor Bedard's readiness.

O’Brien recently expressed some skepticism on the "Missin Curfew" podcast , suggesting that Bedard's youth might be a barrier to effective captaincy.

Conversely, Upshall advocates for Bedard's elevation to the role, pointing out his inherent leadership qualities and the lack of viable alternatives within the team. Upshall's recommendation underscores a generational shift, where younger, high-caliber players are thrust into leadership roles to foster growth and responsibility.

The Debate Continues

While some may argue that a veteran presence such as Nick Foligno might be better suited for immediate captaincy, offering Connor Bedard a path to grow under experienced leadership, others see the appointment of Bedard as captain as an investment in the future and a bold statement of confidence in his leadership potential.

I reside in the former camp. The Four Feathers Podcast crew had a lengthy discussion on this topic shortly after Foligno signed a two-year extension during the 2023-24 season.

While there's some precedent set with Jonathan Toews getting the 'C' in his sophomore season and, as mentioned by Upshall, we're seeing more young generational talent captains, it still feels a bit premature to hand Bedard the letter. There's a perfect runway for Foligno to either be in that role as the de facto captain, or officially hold that title, and upon his exit hand off the responsibility to his understudy of three years. It makes too much sense.

As the Blackhawks' rebuild turns the page from tanking to striving for competitiveness, the team shouldn't rush Bedard into the role just because it's vacant on paper. The time will come for him to be called upon to be a leader. Right now, he has the opportunity to learn how to do it the right way from someone who has been there and done that.

Ultimately, the decision will likely come down to the Blackhawks' assessment of Bedard's readiness and their vision for the team's future. Whatever the choice, it's clear that Connor Bedard will play a pivotal role in the Blackhawks' future with or without the captain's 'C' on his jersey in 2024-25.

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