Connor Bedard: NHL veterans found him “too covered by the media”.

Things aren’t going well in Chicago. Even though the Blackhawks won yesterday – thanks to Connor Bedard – the team finds itself in second-to-last place in the NHL.

Still, the team has good fan support. Once again: thanks to Bedard.

In fact, the Hawks have one of the best crowds in the Bettman circuit.

Better than the last two years, anyway…

The #Blackhawks are the worst team in the league, but somehow 4th in NHL attendance. Connor Bedard is probably single-handedly earning them over $10 mill in gate revenue this year.

– Mitch Bannon (@MitchBannon) December 28, 2023

In terms of average attendance per game, the team ranks fourth in the NHL, but in terms of capacity percentage, it’s a very different story.

As the statistics on Hockey-Reference show, Chicago ranks 19th with a percentage of 95.6.

That said, Bedard brings his club a few million extra dollars. No, I don’t think the media coverage at his expense is exaggerated.

However, earlier this year, some coaches and players complained about the media coverage the young prodigy was receiving.

Earlier in the season, some veteran NHL coaches & players were quietly complaining about how much media coverage Connor Bedard was getting.

But the rookie has just delivered for Chicago, again and again. Haven’t heard those comments in weeks. https://t.co/XfVWVbz5Wn

– Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) December 28, 2023

Really, you jealous bunch?

For the past few years, people have been complaining that the NHL wasn’t showcasing its stars enough. And now that it does, it’s still whining…

While these players and coaches have complained anonymously, Jonathan Marchessault hasn’t been afraid to say it out loud.

Last October, in an interview with TVA Sports, the Quebecer confessed that “the media are hard on him and they should leave him alone”. In hindsight, a few months later, it’s safe to say that the journalists haven’t got inside the youngster’s head. At least for the time being.

His 32 points in 34 games are impressive, and he doesn’t seem to mind outside distractions. To think that Grant McCagg would hesitate between him and Macklin Celebrini if they were in the same draft year…

In brief

– The Rocket plays too.

The Laval Rocket take on the Senators tonight at 6:30 p.m. in Belleville, live @BPMSportsRadio and AHL TV:

Simoneau-Gignac-Roy
Farrell-Maillet-Andersson
Kidney-Condotta-Heineman
McKay-Mysak-Légaré

Xhekaj-Mailloux
Trudeau-P.-Bisson
Norlinder-Keeper

Dobes
Mann

– Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) December 28, 2023

– Too bad.

Spengler Cup: Canada collapses against HC Davos https://t.co/VkBLfCArQR

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) December 28, 2023

– Good luck to him.

The cat is out of the bag! @Syl_St_Laurent isn’t technically done at Law yet, he’s already found his next challenge at @PWHL_Ottawa. Job tailor-made for him. An ally of women’s hockey since Day 1 + will continue to cover the @Senators at RDS and Unique FM. https://t.co/OiQgjpdExW

– jf plante (@jfplante_Droit) December 28, 2023

– It’s coming along nicely.

A look from down at ice level at T-Mobile Park as preparations continue for Monday’s Winter Classic outdoor NHL game between #SEAKraken and Vegas Golden Knights. #NHL #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/st1OgCkYEn

– Geoff Baker (@GeoffBakerTIMES) December 28, 2023

– Seattle signing.