BOSTON — Connor Bedard always has been a fast learner, but he just wants to be faster. Period.
And that’s going to be the Chicago Blackhawks forward’s focus this offseason: speed.
“Change it up a bit,” Bedard told the Tribune. “I always work super hard, I think working extra smart and doing everything, (but) the big thing for me is just increasing my speed.
“That’s going to be my No. 1 focus, and I’m talking to a lot of people and trying to figure out the science behind that. I think I can make a lot of gains this summer. (I’m) not focused on that yet, but when it does come, it could be a good summer for me.”
Bedard plans to work with trainers and other staff on the science behind becoming a faster skater, from “explosive stuff and track and even just getting your body right.”
“(It’s) figuring out just how your body can move at its best capability, whether that’s physio or whatever, and just figuring that stuff out,” he said. “There’s a lot that goes into it.”
Mastering the mechanics of that initial burst — those first three strides — can play a large role in improving speed.
“Any acceleration and then top speed, are what I think could help make me a better player, more dangerous player,” Bedard said.
Speed has been one of the main pillars of the Hawks rebuild.
“I think that’s where the game is going,” interim coach Anders Sörensen said. “You watch top teams, they’re all fast. A lot of pace in their lineups. There’s ways to play fast even if you’re not (Connor) McDavid fast. You can play fast without being a super-fast skater if you’re smart.
“Connor (Bedard) is smart, so he can still play fast without flying around (at) 100 miles an hour.”
Still, all around Bedard, the Hawks are growing up fast.
When Oliver Moore was drafted 18 picks after Bedard in 2023, Moore, considered the fastest skater in the draft, was envisioned as a potential future wing for Bedard.
Now they’re set to make their first start together Thursday night against the Boston Bruins.
“He’s probably one of the fastest guys in the league already, so he’s using that to his advantage, and you see a lot of promise,” Bedard said. “He’s exciting to watch. He’s been a different flavor for us in the games he’s played.”
Moore will man the left wing while Ilya Mikheyev plays right wing. Mikheyev arguably is the fastest Hawk.
With the caveat that Moore has compiled only five games’ worth of metrics, here’s how his, Mikheyev’s and Bedard’s top speeds compare, according to NHL Edge stats. League-average top speed for forwards is 22.2 mph.
- Mikheyev: 23.18 mph
- Moore: 21.61 mph
- Bedard: 21.44 mph
Bedard acknowledged Thursday that he’ll have to make adjustments for the speed on his flanks.
“Both those guys can absolutely fly,” he said. “So it’s getting it up to them, trying to use that to our advantage. … Obviously I’m not as fast as them, but just use speed, and those guys can beat anyone to pucks or anyone wide or whatever. So just try to use that.”
Sörensen said Bedard doesn’t need to alter his game to play with faster linemates.
“Let the puck do the work,” Sörensen said. “Puck is faster than the skaters. So move the puck, give and go, let them go. Give it up and go, because those guys are fast. So if he uses his linemates — which he’s usually good at — we saw that at home when he sent Mikkey on the breakaway. …
“Puck’s fast. Let’s use it.”
