It’s not panning out to be the best season for the Chicago Blackhawks. With the latest loss to the Blues today, the Blackhawks are struggling with a 17-31-7 record. Sitting at the bottom of the Central Division, the NHL team’s playoff hopes are seemingly a far-fetched thought at this point. And yet, the 2023 first overall pick Connor Bedard is doing his best to keep the fire burning in the Blackhawks dressing room. But it might not be entirely his own skills. At least that’s what an NHL veteran seems to posit.

With 155 wins in 439 head-to-head battles this season, Bedard boasts a 35.3% face-off stats. While the data is definitely impressive, former Pittsburgh Penguins player Paul Bissonnette believes he had something to do with the 19-year-old’s stellar success rate. In an X post from February 8, “Biz Nasty” shared his thoughts on what could have helped Connor Bedard be so good at winning face-offs in the NHL.

Sharing the statistics compiled by Soft Serve Scouting, Bissonnette noted that Bedard’s face-off winning percentage has risen dramatically in the last five matches, before tonight’s match against the St. Louis Blues. Naturally, the retired left winger thinks he deserves credit for being part of Connor’s success. What’s the proof, you may ask?

Uploading a clip of their ice session from Wrigley Field, Paul wrote, “Video evidence of me once again helping push Connor Bedard to be great,” But he didn’t stop there. “Blackhawks fans will one day realize the lessons I’m teaching. I’m his Yoda,” he went on to joke about how his teachings have had similar effects on Bedard as how Luke Skywalker benefited from the wisdom of the green Jedi Master.

Truth be told, Connor’s face-off percentages were truly shambolic until a few days ago. In January, Bedard struggled to find his form and rarely got to 40% face-off wins. Sometimes, it hit as low as 16.7% (against the Calgary Flames in mid-January). Taking a look at how his statistics have risen dramatically (as high as 83.3% against the Tampa Bay Lightning only a couple of weeks ago), it’s understandable why Bissonnette has resorted to making boastful claims.

But Connor Bedard himself knows that he’s getting better at his game, and is looking to do everything to not let the struggles of his team bog him down.

Harsh words for Connor Bedard fall on deaf ears

Last week, the Blackhawks suffered another defeat on their home turf when the Edmonton Oilers secured a 4-3 victory at the United Center on February 6. For obvious reasons, the NHL pundits weren’t satisfied with the results, despite Chicago having a player like Connor Bedard among their ranks. “I think his game has to evolve,” said Anson ‘Ace’ Carter in an NHL show, while Bissonnette himself noted the dissatisfaction. But Bedard wasn’t letting the criticism get under his skin.

“I’m not watching broadcasts or anything. I’m playing hockey. Their job is to say what they see. I couldn’t really care less what people on the outside think of me,” the 19-year-old NHL star responded, underscoring that he’s locked inside his head about how to deal with problems on and out of the rink. But how will he manage to rise above the challenges of playing with a team that simply cannot find its footing?

The Blackhawks will face off with their next challengers, the Blue Jackets, after the NHL action resumes for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Will we see a better version of Connor Bedard soon? Will he be able to help the Blackhawks finish their season in a better place than they are now? Tell us in a comment below!