"Get those clicks man": NHL insider lays into Jeremy Roenick for 'attention-seeking' comments about Connor Bedard

Former Chicago Blackhawks center Jeremy Roenick talked about Connor Bedard during Saturday's episode of the "Snipes & Stripes" podcast, which he co-hosts with former referee Tim Peel. Roenick said that Bedard was the only Blackhawks player who didn’t approach him, Chris Chelios or Denis Savard during the 2024 Winter Classic.

NHL insiders Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus criticized Roenick for his comments in Tuesday's column for The Athletic. They described them as "attention-seeking" and not fair to Bedard.

"Roenick was a great player and a fan-favorite in Chicago during his stint with the Blackhawks," they wrote. "He’s not doing himself or his reputation any favors with nonsense like this. But hey, get those clicks, man."

They felt Roenick was trying to get attention for his podcast, which is not highly ranked. According to the latest Apple charts, "Snipes & Stripes" is the No. 73 hockey podcast in America.

After a slow start to the season, Bedard has picked up the pace. He has 10 goals and 25 assists.

Jeremy Roenick's statement on Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard

On the podcast, Jeremy Roenick shared his disappointment with Connor Bedard for not greeting him. Roenick said all the players, except Bedard, came up to him and showed respect.

“There needs to be respect in the game and there needs to be respect for the history of the game,” Roenick said. “But there’s one player that didn’t come up to me, Chelly, or Savvy, and that was the superstar of the Chicago Blackhawks. That’s Connor Bedard.”

Roenick stressed the importance of respect.

"If we don’t have that respect to go up and fist bump to say 'hey, congratulations,' how can you do it with your own teammates?" Roenick said.

He added that Bedard, as a future team leader and captain, needs to learn from this experience.

The Blackhawks are 13-25-2 and last in the Central Division. They will be back in action Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche at 6:30 p.m. CST.