And it begins.
The Connor Bedard era kicks off on Tuesday night in western Pennsylvania as the Blackhawks begin the 2023-24 season on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
It’s a national broadcast and the game is already being pitched as a proverbial passing of the torch to Bedard from longtime NHL superstar Sidney Crosby, who was one of Bedard’s childhood idols. So, yeah, there were a few people at the morning media session:
Bedard will be the game’s main attraction and ESPN is going to mic up the 18-year-old for his first NHL game, but there are plenty of other youngsters who’ll also be worth keeping an eye on whenever Bedard isn’t on the ice. Lukas Reichel will get the initial look at center, skating on the second line with a chance to prove he should remain at the pivot instead of being bounced outside to the wing. On the blue line, a trio of potential long-term pieces in Chicago will be skating in Alex Vlasic, Kevin Korchinski and Wyatt Kaiser. The latter of that trio has been the talk of training camp, while Vlasic seems destined for a busy night skating alongside Seth Jones. And during a morning media session, GM Kyle Davidson said that Korchinski’s contract status will not be a factor in determining whether or not he stays with the parent club for the duration of the season.
Let’s be real here, though: we’ll have plenty of time to assess their progress as the season continues. This game and so much of this season is about having the first real opportunity to lay eyes on Bedard in a Blackhawks uniform and the hope associated with his presence in the lineup. For the first time since … what, 2016? Maybe 2017? It feels like the Blackhawks might be heading in the right direction once again. And that feeling alone is enough to make the first few months substantially more interesting than any others in the last handful of seasons.
Here’s what the Blackhawks lineup will look like for this one:
And, should a power-play opportunity arise, here’s what Chicago should be trotting out:
As for the Penguins, forward Jake Guentzel is expected to play after recovering from ankle surgery back in August. He’ll slot onto the top line alongside the aforementioned Crosby, while Evgeni Malkin returns to his usual spot at second-line center.
Feels good to feel this excited about a Chicago hockey game again. Ending it with two points wouldn’t hurt that mood — or any long-term plans — either.
Let’s go Hawks.
How to watch
When: 7 p.m. CT
Where: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh
TV: ESPN
Webstream: ESPN+
Radio: WGN 720