It’s interesting that Connor Bedard and Matvei Michkov, 2023 draft classmates, will meet for the first time Saturday when the Philadelphia Flyers play host to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Both were considered contenders for the No. 1 pick — Bedard went first to the Hawks and Michkov seventh to the Flyers — so naturally they’ve been cast as rivals.
“We got the chance to talk a little bit at the draft, and we’ll text a bit,” Bedard said after practice Friday at Fifth Third Arena. “And it’s funny, when you’re playing against (each other), people try to create a rivalry or something, but usually you’re friends or you want to see that guy succeed.
“So I’m always rooting for him.”
But with Bedard and Michkov on diametrical trajectories recently, don’t count on outside comparisons between the two to die down anytime soon.
Michkov has recorded six goals and nine assists in 18 games this season, including a two-goal, four-assist stretch in a span of four games this month.
Bedard has three goals and 12 assists in 20 games, but he has gone 11 straight games without a goal — the longest drought of the second-year center’s brief NHL career.
For someone who entered the league with Sidney Crosby-sized promise, the burden of expectations may finally be weighing on the 19-year-old.
“It’s been a tough stretch, and you just feel like you don’t have it or whatever, and you lose a bit of confidence,” Bedard said. “And (it) just kind of goes on. Obviously it’s been a little bit (of a stretch) for me.
“Just (have to) kind of keep going in every game, trying to be the best me and hopefully things (have) got to come.”
It seems like the Hawks — who at 7-12-1 are tied for the fewest points (15) in the NHL — have tried every line combination in the book to get his offense back on track. Bedard has said recently that he’s working on some of his techniques but didn’t delve into details.
On Friday, when asked what more he can do, Bedard replied, “I could name 100 things, but I don’t know, man. It’s been frustrating, for sure.
“I just don’t feel like I’m really doing anything. So just keep chipping away at it, I guess, and hopefully find my game again.”
Coach Luke Richardson downplayed concerns about Bedard’s slump.
“I don’t know,” Richardson said. “He had two great plays the game before (against the Anaheim Ducks), and he was probably on two or three of our defensive clips last game, or even offensive clips on breakouts.
“But backchecking in the second period (Thursday night against the Florida Panthers) and stopping in front of the net against probably the No. 1 center to check in the league with (Aleksander) Barkov out there, I think there are all kinds of great things.”
Bedard assisted new linemate Jason Dickinson on two goals against the Ducks but played more of a checking role against the Panthers.
The Hawks sought to spark Bedard’s offense with a lineup shake-up this week, but importing to checking-line players, Dickinson and Joey Anderson, to the top lines seems to have had the opposite effect, at least against the Panthers.
Richardson remains optimistic, hoping that good defensive play can spring Bedard on easy offensive opportunities.
“When you do those (good things on defense), pucks are going to come back around you because you’re always in the right spots,” Richardson said. “We’ve talked to him about that. I think it’s just (about) what you’re used to, and he’s probably not used to that.
“Like I said last night, we didn’t bring him here to be a checker, but just the way our team has a lack of scoring, we’re hunkering down on the defensive side until we start getting more power-play opportunities and start maybe potting a few goals and getting a little bit more confidence offensively back.”
Based on that philosophy, Richardson defended his choice to match Bedard with Dickinson and Anderson.
“I think the best thing we did was put him with two players that are really responsible and playing really good hockey,” he said. “They hold onto pucks and make some plays in the O-zone. Just being patient with that.”
Richardson also said he isn’t worried about Bedard’s confidence waning.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “I thought he was out here working on things this morning in practice and he looked good. He was skating well today in practice, so maybe he shook it off.”
The Hawks snapped a four-game skid with a power-play goal against the Panthers, and Richardson hopes building that unit’s confidence will lead to more chances for Bedard.
“He’s part of that (goal against the Panthers), too, even if he was the third or fourth guy to touch the puck, and you don’t get on the score sheet,” he said. “All those guys did the job on the power play and they did it again today in practice. So, we expect them to do it again.
“Be feeling good about themselves next game.”
