Ex-Blackhawks superstar makes bold claim about Connor Bedard's game

Former Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane had shared strong praise for Connor Bedard before Sunday’s game between the Hawks and the Detroit Red Wings. The Blackhawks won the game 5-1 with Bedard's three-point performance.

Kane, who now plays for Detroit, spoke to the Chicago Sun-Times on Saturday about facing his former team and its young star.

"He’s a special player," Kane said about Bedard. "He’s able to control the puck and make plays that other guys can’t. That’s just the reality of it. He does what other guys can’t do in the league."

Connor Bedard, the 2023 first-overall pick and Calder Trophy winner, continues to impress in his third NHL season. The 20-year-old had a goal and three assists in Friday’s 4-0 win over the Calgary Flames. And after the Red Wings game, he has nine goals, 16 assists, and a plus-minus 10 rating through 16 games.

Bedard's 25 points rank tied for second with the Anaheim Ducks' Leo Carlsson in the league. He is four points behind the league leader, Nathan Mackinnon, who has 29 points.

Meanwhile, Kane, now 36, is in his third season with the Red Wings. He has started the 2025–26 season with two goals and three assists in seven games. He did not score any points in the game against the Blackhawks, the first meeting this season. Although his scoring pace has slowed, his experience and playmaking still help Detroit’s young lineup.

During his time in Chicago, Kane became one of the most decorated players in franchise history. He won three Stanley Cups (2010, 2013, 2015) with the Blackhawks. He has also won Art Ross, Calder like Bedard, Conn Smythe, Hart Memorial, and Ted Lindsay Trophies.

There is an ongoing transition in Chicago's hockey scene, and Kane’s respect for Bedard shows the young star’s growing impact in the NHL.

Connor Bedard's offense fueled Chicago's win over the Red Wings.

The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Detroit Red Wings 5-1, and forward Connor Bedard scored once and had two assists. He opened the scoring 59 seconds in with a power-play goal from the right circle. Dylan Larkin tied it 1-1 at 4:19 after a rebound in front.

In the second period, Teuvo Teravainen made it 2-1 with a power-play one-timer from Andre Burakovsky’s pass. Tyler Bertuzzi scored at 5:09 of the third to give Chicago a 3-1 lead. Burakovsky added an empty-net goal late in the game. Connor Bedard assisted on both these third-period goals.

Rookie Oliver Moore scored his first NHL goal with 16 seconds left, for the final score.