NHL Projects Connor Bedard's Point Total For 2023-24

Connor Bedard is the most hyped prospect in the NHL in over half a decade and there is a lot of pressure on him to succeed even in his first year with not a ton of talent surrounding him. The Chicago Blackhawks did bring in some players, but it's nothing in comparison to the talent Bedard will have surrounding him in the future when he is also a much more experienced player.

He is not only expected to win the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year, many are expecting him to come into the NHL as a point-per-game player. Some sites have set his over/under in goals at 32.5, which is a lot to ask from a rookie on a bad team, even with the goal-scoring up league-wide.

NHL.com projects that Bedard will record 78 points this season. The last rookie to record at least that many points was Mathew Barzal in 2017-18 as a 20-year-old. Bedard is expected to have Taylor Hall flanking him on his left and either Taylor Raddysh or Andreas Athanasiou on his right. Both potential right wingers scored 20 goals on the Blackhawks last season and Hall, albeit missing 21 games, scored 16 goals and 36 points. Bedard may very well transfer his talents over to the NHL seamlessly and boost his linemates up and reach the projection mark. It will be fun to watch either way.