Reports that Connor Bedard could be named Blackhawks' new captain

The Chicago Blackhawks enter the 2023-24 season without Jonathan Toews as team captain for the first time in 15 seasons and for the first time without a captain at all since the 1970s.

To say that times are changing in Chicago is putting it mildly.

The Blackhawks are a completely new team in 2023-24 for better or worse and it looks like it'll be up to #1 overall pick and superstar in the making Connor Bedard to help them completely begin a new chapter in team history. While the Blackhawks picked up some solid veteran leaders in Taylor Hall and Corey Perry this season, there's still some belief that the team will NOT name a captain for 2023-24 and will go with the 'leadership by committee' approach.

Then there are the reports that the team might even go so far as to name Bedard as team captain before he even hits the ice! Imagine an 18 year old rookie earning the "C" before he even has a professional hockey game on his resume. Just absolutely insanity in my opinion, but it's a narrative that is getting some play on the NHL Network.

Chec it out:

I've got to agree with Bruce Boudreau here. Why bother putting pressure on an 18 year old when it's not needed? Let the kid get comfortable and work his way toward earning the "C". Why set the kid up to fail?