Chicago Blackhawks star forward Connor Bedard addressed recent criticism from Mark Messier and Paul Bissonnette, making it clear that outside opinions don’t concern him.
The Blackhawks are navigating another lost season, currently sitting second to last in the league standings with a paltry 15-34-7 record and 38 points, one more than dead-last San Jose.
“I’m not watching broadcasts or anything; I’m playing hockey,” Bedard said after practice on Thursday. “Their job is to say what they see. I couldn’t care less what people on the outside think of me.
“But I won’t be butthurt if someone says I made a bad play. It’s their job.”
Connor Bedard on recent criticism of him on National Broadcasts
Connor Bedard on recent criticism of him on National Broadcasts
“I don’t need to watch a broadcast to figure out if I made a mistake. I’m going to know.” pic.twitter.com/x2z6ukETBh
— CHGO Blackhawks (@CHGO_Blackhawks) February 6, 2025
Messier criticized Bedard during the first intermission of a Blackhawks loss to the Florida Panthers on Feb. 1, calling out what he described as a “soft” defensive play that led to a crucial goal.
“This is a choice and a consequence for a young player,” Messier said. “He’s soft on his stick, and I’m sorry, the excuses for a young player are over now.
“He has to be better than that. He could destroy the morale of the team.”
Bissonnette echoed those concerns during the second intermission of Chicago’s game against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, calling Bedard’s defensive play “pond hockey.”
“There are so many little details to his game that he’s lacking right now,” Bissonnette said. “Yes, he might put up 30, 35 goals a season and get his 50, 55 assists, playing power play and getting all these minutes, but they’re going to continue to lose hockey games if that’s how he’s playing.”
“That is pond hockey.”@BizNasty2point0 wants to see Bedard take his game to the NHL level and leave the pond hockey behind. pic.twitter.com/ky8GbZqBRu
— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) February 6, 2025
Following Bedard’s response, Bissonnette acknowledged the backlash from fans but stood by his comments.
“I respect the hell out of Blackhawks fans for having Bedard’s back in all this. The passion isn’t going unnoticed,” Bissonnette posted on X. “Can’t wait till Chicago is back in the playoff mix and Connor is lighting the league on fire. In the meantime, you can direct your frustration towards me. I can take it. I was a professional speed bag. Still am.”
Bedard has scored 46 points in 53 games this season, including 15 goals and 31 assists. He’s scoring points at a 0.87 point-per-game pace, pretty much on par with his 0.89 average from last season.
