Blackhawks star Connor Bedard’s rise mirrors Nathan MacKinnon in Colorado
· Yahoo Sports
Connor Bedard‘s development path with the Chicago Blackhawks may look familiar to anyone who watched Nathan MacKinnon‘s early years in Colorado.
Speaking on the Sekeres and Price podcast, NHL analyst Craig Button drew direct comparisons between the two former first-overall picks. Button noted that both players won the Calder Trophy, entered rebuilding situations, and faced growing expectations before becoming established superstars.
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“In the 2013 NHL Draft, Nathan MacKinnon was the first overall pick, much like Connor Bedard,” Button said. “And at the end of their first year in the NHL, Connor Bedard won the Rookie of the Year, and so did Nathan MacKinnon. And then Nathan MacKinnon was on a team that wasn’t very good, much like Connor Bedard.”
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Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) reacts at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn ImagesThe comparison arrives after Bedard produced the best season of his young NHL career. Despite missing time with a shoulder injury, the 20-year-old recorded 30 goals and 45 assists for 75 points in 69 games. He also showed improvements away from the puck, posting a career-best 47.1 percent faceoff win rate while taking on heavier defensive responsibilities.
Button’s point is not that Bedard will become MacKinnon overnight. Rather, it points to the fact that elite talent often needs time, structure, and roster support before reaching its peak.
Nathan MacKinnon’s rise and Bedard comparison
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn ImagesMacKinnon’s rise was not immediate after his rookie season. Following his Calder-winning campaign in 2013-14, Colorado struggled as a team, and MacKinnon’s production plateaued. It was not until his fifth NHL season that he exploded into one of hockey’s most dominant players, scoring 97 points, including 39 goals.
“It wasn’t until Nathan MacKinnon was … in his fifth year in the National Hockey League that Nathan MacKinnon became the all-world superstar, or started to show signs of being the all-world superstar that he is now,” Button said. “I think Connor Bedard’s on a very similar path.”
Today, MacKinnon is coming off another remarkable season with 53 goals and 127 points, while continuing to drive the Avalanche as a Stanley Cup contender. This was his fourth straight 100-point season.
Chicago must follow Colorado’s blueprint for Connor Bedard’s development
The biggest similarity is team context. Chicago finished 29-39-14 and missed the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season. Like Colorado during MacKinnon’s early years, the Blackhawks remain a rebuilding club searching for complementary talent.
“I have no doubt that he’s a top-line 1A, he’s got all the ability to be a superstar,” Button said. “But I see so many parallels between where Nathan MacKinnon was and how he progressed and where Connor Bedard is now and how he is progressing.”
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Bedard has already proven he can produce despite difficult circumstances. The next challenge belongs to management. Chicago must surround him with skilled wingers, continue developing prospects such as Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore, and improve its overall team structure.
If that happens, Button’s comparison could age very well. Bedard’s numbers already suggest a future superstar. The question is not whether he can reach that level, but how quickly Chicago can build a contender around him.