The start of Connor Bedard's rookie season is a matter of weeks away, and after years of anticipation, he comes into the Blackhawks organization with the weight of the world on his shoulders.
A generational talent
On the back of 243 points over the past two seasons in the WHL, Bedard was the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL Draft, and while he's not expected to lead the Blackhawks to the playoffs immediately, there are plenty of people waiting for him to dominate the Calder Trophy race.
However, it appears that not everyone is sold, as NHL Insider Andy Strickland has dropped a shocking prediction ahead of the much anticipated 2023-24 season.
"Connor Bedard will not win the Calder Trophy." - Andy Strickland
An underwhelming rookie year?
Given the hype, it wouldn't be unreasonable to say that some fans out there expect Bedard to have 100 points in his rookie campaign, but according to Strickland, the standout rookie will tally just 26-29 goals.
Ultimately, this is the type of statement that will get people's attention, and while it's unlikely that Bedard is putting up Connor McDavid-type numbers in his rookie season, he's bound to impress and continue to grow as he ages and matures with this Blackhawks team.