Connor Bedard’s latest line configuration means a switch back to center, but the Chicago Blackhawks contend the move doesn’t matter.
Lukas Reichel joined Connor Bedard and Philipp Kurashev on the top line during Chicago Blackhawks practice Tuesday at Fifth Third Arena, a preview of that line playing together against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday.
Reichel has played a role in the Hawks’ recent resurgence and is having fun again, which he said has “definitely helped me, especially for next season, (know) that I’ve still got it.”
His move up to play with Bedard shows how much Reichel has regained coaches’ trust after going through a slump that landed him in Rockford for a spell.
“I just thought he’s played pretty good lately and he’s had some good bursts of speed and shooting pucks,” coach Luke Richardson said. “I jumbled the lines a little bit over the course of the last few games and at times put them together a little bit.”
The trio played well together and combined on a goal against the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 19, but things devolved over the next three games. That line allowed a total of five goals and was held scoreless.
Richardson said they looked good Tuesday and were “flying around” at practice.
“Lukas always has had some chemistry with Kurashev in the past too,” Richardson said. “So just put three young guys that hang out together and spend a lot of time talking together and hopefully that can translate a little bit into something on the ice.”
Reichel, a native of Germany, and Swiss native Kurashev have bonded over the years and speak German to each other.
So Richardson was asked: Does that mean Bedard has to learn some German?
“He might have to learn a few — at least swear words, if he’s not happy,” Richardson quipped.
With Connor Bedard playing on a line with Lukas Reichel and Philipp Kurashev, does that mean he has to learn German now?
Luke Richardson: “He might have to learn a few — at least swear words, if he’s not happy.” pic.twitter.com/wGXKk9dUuM
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) April 9, 2024
Translation is one matter. Transition is another.
After a few games for Bedard at left wing while Jason Dickinson manned center, Reichel’s promotion to top-line left wing means Bedard heads back to center.
It raises the question: Is he better off at wing or sticking with his draft position, center?
According to leftwinglock.com, 94% of Bedard’s ice time has come at center. For all of his skills, Bedard is more Patrick Kane than Jonathan Toews.
Bedard doesn’t play on the penalty kill, his 39.2% faceoff percentage ranks near the bottom of the team despite his taking the second-most draws and he’s a work in progress in the defensive zone, though he has made strides there recently.
One big notch in his favor is that, even at 5-foot-10, Bedard can score down low. He’s shooting 16.7% (about the league average) in high-danger areas, according to NHL statistics.
“I don’t even know if it really matters where he starts on the drop of the puck,” Richardson said.
Regardless of Bedard’s position, Richardson said Bedard excels at breakouts and he wants him to skate through the middle of the zone on entries so he can distribute the puck to either side — or keep it and use his puck-handling skills to beat defenders.
“He’s not that crash-and-bang winger, that big power guy that goes up and down, is 220 (pounds) and forechecks,” Richardson said. “We don’t want him dumping the puck in all the time either.
“It’s going to just depend on game by game. … To me, putting (him with) Kurashev and Reichel, I think it’s more suitable for him to be in the middle. But if there are games we put him back with Dickey, I think Dickey’s a strong centerman and plays down low a lot anyway. So why not put (Bedard) on wing?”
Bedard wasn’t available after practice, but last week he said he played wing for the Canadian national team and has gotten more and more comfortable playing there in the NHL.
“You can look at positives on both sides,” he said last week. “I love being center, but it’s good to be able to play both and maybe it frees you up a little bit in your own end. You’re not skating around as much. Either way I’m comfortable.”
That was Richardson’s thinking too: In a learning season for a rebuilding team, just let Bedard learn it all.
“You have to be able to understand the game and all three positions, on different sides of the ice,” he said.
