• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 16, 2025

Blackhawks Look For Revival With No. 1 Pick Bedard

  • The Blackhawks hope to improve on last season’s dismal record near the bottom of the NHL.
  • Fans will be able to catch Bedard in Chicago’s home opener on Oct. 21.
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Connor Bedard is officially a Chicago Blackhawk. 

The sensational young talent from Vancouver was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in Wednesday night’s 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville.

Bedard — who turns 18 in July — will be tasked with helping turn around a team that finished with the second-lowest point total in the league last year. 

With fans hoping to see a return to glory that included three Stanley Cups last decade, the Blackhawks sold more than $5 million in season tickets after winning the NHL Draft lottery — and thus the rights to Bedard — in May.

The maximum salary Bedard can earn during his rookie season is about $4.5 million, but he’s already finding other paydays. Ahead of the draft, he signed an apparel deal with Lululemon, the Canadian athleisure brand based in Bedard’s hometown.

While most hockey experts anticipate Bedard being ready for opening night at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 10, Blackhawk fans will have to wait until the second weekend of the season to see the rookie play at the United Center. The Blackhawks host the Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights in their home opener on Oct. 21.

Mark It Down

The NHL officially released its schedule this week ahead of the draft. 

Highlights include an opening night tripleheader on ESPN, Global Series games visiting Australia in the preseason and Sweden in November, two outdoor games at MetLife Stadium on consecutive days — and all 30 teams playing on Black Friday.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.

Texas-Oklahoma Gets 8.7M Viewers, Most-Watched CFB Game of Week 7

The Red River Rivalry was the most-watched game of the weekend.
Oct 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with teammates after game four of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center.

WNBA Finals Draws 1.5M Viewers, Second-Highest Series on ESPN

The four-game series averaged 1.5 million viewers.

Featured Today

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Jan 8, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart (79) makes a save against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at Wells Fargo Center

Golden Knights Add Hockey Canada Trial’s Carter Hart

Hart is the only acquitted player to sign with an NHL team.
Nov 28, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Michael McLeod (20) celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit:
October 9, 2025

Hockey Canada Trial’s Michael McLeod Signs Outside NHL

Fans in Carolina protested the team’s interest in the Hockey Canada 5.
Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links GC sits during a break in their TGL golf match against Atlanta Drive GC at SoFi Center on March 4, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
October 13, 2025

Latest Tiger Woods Surgery Bad News for TGL, PGA Tour Champions

Woods is recovering from his seventh back surgery in 11 years.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Bucks
October 7, 2025

Bucks Reportedly Discussed Giannis Deal With Knicks This Summer

Antetokounmpo’s future will be a major NBA storyline this year.
Napheesa Collier
October 5, 2025

WNBA Tensions Heat Up With Canceled Collier–Engelbert Meeting

The commissioner denied Collier’s version of events at a press conference Friday.
Caitlin Clark
October 3, 2025

Cathy Engelbert Denies Saying Caitlin Clark Should Be ‘Grateful’ For WNBA

“Obviously I did not make those comments.”
Caitlin Clark
exclusive
October 2, 2025

Caitlin Clark Will Not Join Second Season of Unrivaled

The Fever star struggled with several injuries in her second WNBA season.