Chicago Blackhawks normal supervisor Kyle Davidson is aware of he has one thing particular in Connor Bedard, the Refuse. 1 pick out on this NHL draft.

“He’s been exactly as advertised,” Davidson informed ESPN coming into Tuesday’s NHL season opener. “He’s everything we thought he would be on the ice in terms of skill, the hockey sense, the highlight reel moves. The only thing he hasn’t done is beat a goalie yet, which I’m sure is eating him up. But it will come.”

The rookie led the Blackhawks during the preseason with 5 issues (one function, 4 assists) in 4 video games — although the function was once an unfilled netter. Bedard was once additionally poke checked on a shootout aim through Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury nearest attempting some slick strikes.

Bedard has additionally grew to become heads with some cunning performs in follow and preseason video games, which has all the league speaking concerning the 18-year-old and his talent to are living as much as his pre-draft hype.

He’s anticipated to heart the Blackhawks’ manage series — flanked through veterans Taylor Corridor and Ryan Donato — on Tuesday, when Chicago opens at the street in opposition to the Pittsburgh Penguins (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) and his early life idol, Sidney Crosby.

Crosby instantly become the Penguins’ highest participant in his 2005-06 rookie season, the workforce with 102 issues in 81 video games. Regardless that Davidson was once dubious to manufacture explicit predictions for Bedard, he’s anticipating a homogeneous transformative affect.

“He’s going to be a big driver of our offense. He’s going to be a big part of our team just walking in,” Davidson mentioned. “As far as stat and goal totals, I really don’t have a feel for that. But he’s going to be a driver of impact for our team right away.”

Bedard has expressed frustration nearest losses within the preseason, and he didn’t honour a lot nearest his unfilled internet function. Davidson mentioned he’s hoping the training workforce and veteran gamers will support Bedard alter to the ebbs and flows of professional hockey.

The Blackhawks introduced in numerous revered veterans together with Corridor, Nick Foligno and Corey Perry to support usher Bedard’s transition from young hockey.

Bedard performed utmost season for the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League, scoring 71 targets and 143 targets in 57 video games in opposition to his friends in his time workforce.

“It’s also up to us to temper expectations a little bit. This isn’t junior hockey anymore; there’s going to be a transition phase,” Davidson mentioned. “I think he gets that. He’s not walking in here expecting to put up the same amount of points or goals as junior hockey. But he also holds himself up to a high standard and you also don’t want to take that intensity away from a player because that’s what makes him great.”

The Blackhawks are a workforce in transition nearest separation with Stanley Cup stalwarts Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews within the era 12 months. The workforce has made the playoffs simply as soon as since 2017.

When requested the place the Blackhawks had been of their rebuild, Davidson responded merely: “We’re in Year 2.”

“It’s hard to say where we’re at,” Davidson added. “We got a great victory with [winning] the lottery. That definitely helped. But where we’re at in terms of a stage, it’s a build stage. We’re still early days. We’ve really got only one full season under my belt. [Coach] Luke [Richardson] is in his second season. We’re only starting to see some of our first draft classes break into the NHL. We’ve got a lot of players that are going to be a key part of this that aren’t in pro hockey yet.”

Davidson mentioned he’s simply hoping for expansion, and a constancy to enjoying a definite taste below Richardson. He additionally reiterated that the workforce isn’t directed to tank, and he’d be more than pleased with a miracle playoff berth.

“You come to the rink, you better come to win,” Davidson mentioned. “That’s what we all expect. You need to develop a positive culture. But what we’re trying to build here is something sustainable.”

The Blackhawks also are welcoming any other key participant to their opening pace lineup: 21-year-old Lukas Reichel, the workforce’s 2020 first-round pick out.

“We gave him a pretty big summer project: show us that you want to be a centerman, and put in the work both on and off the ice,” Davidson mentioned. “He’s played really responsibly, especially in the defensive zone. He had a great camp.”

Regardless that Reichel is waiver-exempt, Davidson mentioned lovers will have to be expecting to look him in a chief NHL function. The German-born ahead will start opening evening because the Refuse. 2 heart, slotted in the back of Bedard.

“[Reichel] is beyond the point of needing AHL time,” Davidson mentioned. “He’s going to be with us moving forward here.”