There are detractors out there because he isn’t at the level of Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews despite being called a “generational talent” while playing major junior. Th

BUFFALO, N.Y. — One of the primary reasons the Blackhawks acquired Nick Foligno from Boston two summers ago was so that Connor Bedard would have a gregarious and eager veteran to lean on, to pepper with questions, to help him navigate the meat grinder that is the NHL schedule.

The urgency to surround Bedard with a higher-caliber supporting cast stems from his importance to Chicago’s rebuild. The Blackhawks are last in the Central Division with a 12-24-2 record. For now, the spotlight remains on Chicago’s young phenom while the franchise looks destined to be making another top selection in the upcoming NHL draft.

The Chicago Blackhawks had Connor Bedard extend his point streak to seven games but they couldn't beat the New York Rangers.

Let's pull the lens out from the current state of the Blackhawks and focus on what the calendar year could bring for the team.