While many concerns were raised after Connor Bedard’s consecutive game misconducts, Chicago Blackhawks interim head coach Anders Sorensen used the situation to draw a parallel with Sidney Crosby.

© Michael Reaves/Getty Images Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks reacts after a 6-2 loss against the St. Louis Blues in the 2024 NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field on December 31, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

Connor Bedard has let his emotions get the best of him in the Chicago Blackhawks‘ recent outings, and it’s cost him dearly. While having their best player ejected from consecutive games is far from ideal, interim head coach Anders Sorensen issued a firm defense of the 19-year-old, even drawing a comparison to future NHL Hall of Famer, Sidney Crosby.

Frustration has been mounting both in the locker room and on the ice as the Hawks struggle through a tough NHL season, one in which little has gone their way.

Bedard‘s sophomore campaign has fallen short of expectations, too. Though he leads the team in points, it hasn’t been smooth sailing lately. The reigning Calder Trophy winner has registered just three points in March so far, and it’s clearly weighing on his mindset heading into each game. Still, it’s a valuable lesson. Things won’t always go perfectly for the young star, and facing adversity this early in his career could shape him into an even greater talent.

It’s a work in progress for Bedard. Recently, he blew a fuse, earning game misconducts in consecutive games—both calls being controversial. Opponents have clearly gotten under his skin, distracting him from his game, and that’s something neither he nor Sorensen‘s Blackhawks can afford right now.

Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins waits for a faceoff in the second period of a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on March 07, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

However, interim head coach Sorensen is confident that this could be a sign of Bedard’s competitiveness. He expressed this belief with a firm statement, drawing a parallel to Sidney Crosby’s early years in the league.

Signs of greatness?

“Overall, I think he’s very mature for being 19, especially with the amount of spotlight that’s on him constantly. I’m really impressed with how he handles it,” Anders Sorensen admitted about Bedard’s recent controversies, per Chicago Sun-Times beat reporter Ben Pope.

“It’s human nature to get to some points that he’s gotten over the last couple games. I remember Sidney Crosby went through a lot of that. I remember Peter Forsberg came into the league mild-mannered off the ice, but on the ice, it happens, right? They want to win. They want to be successful.“

Sorensen addresses the controversial penalties

The Blackhawks interim coach didn’t read much into the disputed game misconducts assessed to Bedard, instead he subtly praised the intensity the young star has shown.

Chicago Blackhawks interim coach Anders Sorensen speaks with center Connor Bedard in the bench during an NHL game.

“Last game, it was a scrum — I’m kinda [like], ‘Good for him. He stuck his nose in there and stayed in there.’ We discount that one,” Sorensen stated. “The one in San Jose, it’s frustration [in the] heat of the moment as a young player. There’s frustration sometimes [with] how they handle it. But he’s aware and he’s getting better at it.”

Sorensen also aimed at the officials as they seem to have been less permissive with Bedard, as compared to other household names in the NHL. As this season is already nearing rock bottom for the Blackhawks, these decisions may not be as costly, but in the future they could be really affected by having their best player taken off the ice in late-game situations.

Here to stay

It’s been a tough season for the fans in Windy City, and these past few weeks haven’t been no different. With Chicago mired in a four-game losing slump, there’s little to be hopeful about the team this year. But, there’s always a silver lining for those in need of one, and Ryan Donato’s breakout campaign has certainly been one positive takeaway.

It could get even sweeter for the organization in Chi-town as Donato made a key admission about his future. Ahead of an offseason in which the 28-year-old is set to become an UFA, he expressed his desire to stay alongside Bedard and the Blackhawks.

Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks talks with the media prior to playing against the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 16, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

“I would love to stay,” Donato hinted about his future decision, per Chicago Sun-Times. “Ever since I’ve been here, it has felt like a second home to me. Love it in Chicago. If things work out, I would definitely love to be here.”