Former Coach Says Bedard Needs His Draisaitl: 3 Options

In just his second NHL season, Chicago Blackhawks superstar Connor Bedard is posting solid numbers.

His nine-game point streak was snapped on Saturday night when the Blackhawks lost to the Edmonton Oilers , but the teams struggles are not on him.

At the same time, some have wondered why Bedard hasnt taken a huge leap.

On pace for less than last season, the hope was that Bedard would become a point-per-game player, maybe even hint at 90-100 points.

Hes unlikely to get there.

Hes good and will continue to improve, but whats holding the generational talent back? One former NHL coach believes that Bedard doesnt have the superstar linemate many others who did take that giant leap have had.

Bedard Needs His Leon Draisaitl Rick Bowness examined Bedards production and looked across the ice at his opponent on Saturday.

Arguing that Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers had Leon Draisaitl, Bowness made the point that Bedard doesnt have another star to play with.

Before the Hockey Night in Canada telecast Saturday night, Bowness made a good point.

Like McDavid once did, he contended that Bedard needs a star-caliber teammate to unlock his potential fully.

He and the panel pointed out that Bedard is at a disadvantage because he does not have his own version of Draisaitl.

Without it, Bedard may never reach the heights some of the greats did.

Draisaitls partnership helped fuel McDavids quick rise in the NHL.

The two created one of the leagues most successful partnerships, blending McDavids speed and playmaking with Draisaitls scoring ability and physicality.

That Draisaitl is a big-bodied horse of a player with elite skills only helped McDavid grow more quickly into NHL stardom.

His partnership allowed McDavid to focus on his strengths without shouldering the entire offensive load.

Because the Oilers were able to play McDavid with another elite talent paid off, and the same approach could benefit Bedard in Chicago.

Bedards Elite Skills Need Support.

Who Could Be Bedards Draisaitl? Bedard has already demonstrated his exceptional hockey IQ and vision.

However, he lacks a high-end teammate who can complement his skill set.

The Blackhawks need to find him that star-caliber partner.

That begs the question, who could that partner be, and where could the Blackhawks find such a player? There are only two options.

First, the Blackhawks could sign a high-end winger during free agency.

Second, they could trade for such a winger.

In exploring the options, lets err on the side of possible.

Playing, what if?, two potential wingers could be potential.

One is the 28-year-old Finn Mikko Rantanen of the Colorado Avalanche.

Like Draisaitl, Rantanen is a big-bodies winger even bigger than Draisaitl.

Hes 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds.

Hes a free agent at the end of this season.

Thus far in the current season, Rantanens scoring touch is evident.

Hes played 44 games, scoring 25 goals and adding 35 assists for 60 points.

He could perfectly complement Bedards playmaking.

A second potential free agent is Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Should contract talks stall in Toronto, or if the Blackhawks offer him significantly more money than $13 million, which is rumored to be the Maple Leafs top offer, he could become a game-changing addition to the Blackhawks roster.

Whats different about Marner is that hes not physically as large as either Draisaitl or Rantanen.

Marner isnt small at 6-foot and 180 pounds, and hes been relatively injury-free in his career, but he isnt the same kind of a physical specimen as the other two players.

So far this season, Marner has played 45 games with one fewer point than Rantanen.

Hes scored 14 goals and added 45 assists for 59 points.

Could the Blackhawks Trade for Bedards Partner? Should the Blackhawks wish to move more quickly on a partner for Bedard, one player whos rumored to be potentially moved is J.T.

Miller of the Vancouver Canucks.

Given the rumor of Millers current rift with another Canucks star player Elias Pettersson , it could be that Miller might be on the move.

Two problems with that idea are that, on the face of it, the 31-year-old Miller isnt the winger for Bedard because hes a center.

But centers do morph into wingers as they age.

Millers high hockey IQ (he often acts as a second coach on the Canucks bench) would allow him to make that transition relatively easily.

Miller is a strong two-way forward with leadership qualities, which could be acquired via trade to make an immediate impact.

The Path Forward for Chicago The Blackhawks have cap space and a rebuilding window that would allow them to make bold moves.

Acquiring or signing a top-tier player to partner with Bedard could fast-track Chicagos return to contention.

Bedard has already shown flashes of brilliance.

However, if Rick Bowness and the Hockey Central panel are correct, having that partner would help push him more quickly toward the projected heights.

Hell need that complementary starhis own Leon Draisaitl.

The question is whether the Blackhawks front office would prioritize finding that missing piece by signing a free agency or trading for a partner.

Bedards talent is undeniable.

However, hockey is a team game.

Bringing in the right partner could turn the Bedard and the Blackhawks into the powerhouse they once were when Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane roamed the ice together to win Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013, and 2015.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission..

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