Connor Bedard sends strong message after Blackhawks win Wednesday night

It has been a while since there was as noticeable a level of buzz around the Chicago Blackhawks as there was after their 8-3 thrashing of the St Louis Blues on Wednesday night. The Blackhawks were featured on TNT’s national broadcast as they took on their bitter rivals, who had taken control of the rivalry in recent years. After the win, Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar joined the TNT postgame show. Bedard sent a strong message to the hockey world:

“We don’t want to win in three years. We want to win now.”

It’s a win now mentality for Connor Bedard & the Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/mUtN0UWiia

— Blackhawks on CHSN (@CHSN_Blackhawks) October 16, 2025

A few simple words spoken in a chill tone, but they immediately stood out. This franchise reached the decade mark since its last title this past June and has spent the majority of the 2020s rebuilding. Bedard was selected first overall in the 2023 NHL draft, joining a franchise in full rebuild mode. In his first two seasons, the Blackhawks went 48-99-17 with 113 points.

While part of a greater plan, the losses have to be getting to the now 20-year-old Bedard. He’s done with it, as are the fans.

Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks are making a statement

It might not seem like much more than a player saying the right things on TV, but it’s hard to argue that it’s not genuine. Not only blessed with elite skills, but he’s also a fierce competitor, and the desire to win is clearly there. Bedard mentioned his team being “fast” and “competitive” in that segment on TNT. Not only is he speaking for himself, but for a team filled with other young players itching for glory.

https://x.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/1978678449209303139

The value of this statement holds much weight, even if it doesn’t mean the Blackhawks will suddenly contend for a Stanley Cup this season. Rebuilding a team from the ground up requires more than just drafting young talent; it’s also about creating a winning culture. Successfully growing as a young team breeds confidence and the belief that they can compete with anyone. It’s no longer about what could be down the road for guys like Bedard; it’s about what they can be now.

Worth noting, these comments are in no way a shot at GM Kyle Davidson or his plan. Everyone, including Bedard, knows this is a long process. It’s also understood that this team will still lose a good number of games and have some rough patches this year. If anything, it shows that Davidson’s plan is starting to see the budding of the fruits of his labors. Bedard wasn’t insulting the plan; he is doing his part in moving it along.

Bedard is a voice for the team and the Blackhawks fans

Bedard speaks to a big city starving for championship-caliber sports again. Setting that tone goes a long way in getting the fans to buy in again. Ask any Chicago sports fan, and they’ll tell you they’ve had enough of teams rebuilding or retooling. Nobody wants to hear any more of “The next big thing is coming,” or “Just wait until two or three years from now.” The future needs to be now, and seeing that growth on and off the ice is how tomorrow becomes today.

and to all a goodnight pic.twitter.com/EckoMuW437

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 16, 2025

Wednesday night was one game, but the promise in a small sample is there. Hopefully, this ends up being the opening of a new, exciting book for the Chicago Blackhawks.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/connor-bedard-sends-strong-message-blackhawks-win