Blackhawks Star Bedard Unfairly Blames Himself for Team's Struggles

Despite Dominant Performance, Young Phenom Takes on Outsized Responsibility for Loss

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:50am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form representing the multifaceted nature of the Blackhawks' challenges and Connor Bedard's individual brilliance.A cubist interpretation of the intense on-ice action between the Blackhawks and Predators, reflecting the complex dynamics at play in Connor Bedard's performance and his team's struggles.Chicago Today

Connor Bedard, the star player for the struggling Chicago Blackhawks, has taken an unfair share of the blame for his team's recent loss to the Nashville Predators. Despite scoring a goal and creating numerous scoring chances, Bedard expressed frustration and criticized his own performance, when in reality the team's broader issues are to blame for the defeat.

Why it matters

Bedard is one of the NHL's brightest young talents, and his self-criticism highlights the pressure and unrealistic expectations placed on star players to single-handedly carry underperforming teams. This dynamic can negatively impact a player's development and confidence if not properly addressed by the organization.

The details

In Thursday's game, Bedard scored a goal and set up several scoring chances for his linemates, but the Blackhawks ultimately fell 4-2 to the Predators. After the game, Bedard took responsibility, praising his linemates but saying he should have converted on more of his opportunities. However, the reality is that Bedard was the Blackhawks' most dominant player on the night, and the team's broader struggles, including costly turnovers by his teammates, were the primary factors in the loss.

  • On April 11, 2026, the Blackhawks lost 4-2 to the Nashville Predators.
  • Bedard scored his 24th goal of the season in the game, setting a new career high.

The players

Connor Bedard

The star player for the Chicago Blackhawks, who was the first overall draft pick in 2023 and is considered one of the NHL's brightest young talents.

Andre Burakovsky

A forward on the Blackhawks' top line alongside Bedard, who has had a strong start to the season but has slowed down in recent months.

Ryan Greene

A forward on the Blackhawks' top line with Bedard and Burakovsky, known for his energy and work ethic but not considered an elite scorer.

Jeff Blashill

The head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, who has faced criticism for his loyalty to keeping Burakovsky on the top line despite his recent struggles.

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What they’re saying

“I thought [Burkakovsky] and [Greene] were exceptional tonight, as they have been all season, making it easy for me. They set me up with five or six Grade-A chances. It's on me to convert one more, and maybe the outcome would have been different.”

— Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks Player

What’s next

Bedard will look to build on his strong individual performance and continue his development as one of the NHL's top young stars, while the Blackhawks organization will need to address the team's broader issues to provide Bedard with a more competitive supporting cast.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the immense pressure and unrealistic expectations placed on elite young players like Bedard, who are expected to single-handedly carry underperforming teams. Bedard's self-criticism, while admirable, is unfair, and the Blackhawks organization should work to support him and alleviate this burden as he continues to grow into a superstar.