"Probably get hurt, he's too small" "Way too easy" - NHL fans debate over Connor Bedard scoring 30+ goals next season

Last season, Connor Bedard entered the NHL as one of the most highly-touted prospects of the last decade. After a dominant two-year stretch with the Regina Pats in the WHL, where he averaged more than two points per game during the 2022-23 season, Bedard was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks with the first pick of the 2023 NHL draft.

Despite his previous success in the WHL, Bedard's rookie year saw him miss time as a result of a broken jaw sustained in early January. Despite the injury, he then returned to the ice the following month for the team's Feb. 15 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The following month, Bedard had the biggest game of his career, logging a goal and four assists in a 7-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks. Despite missing time, Connor Bedard finished the 2023-24 season as the rookie leader in goals with 22, finishing the regular season with 61 points.

Now, ahead of his second year in Chicago, the team made moves to bolster its roster, notably acquiring Teuvo Teravainen earlier this week. With Bedard now no-longer being the primary and secondary target for opposing teams, the NHL network asked fans on social media whether he will score 30 goals next season.

The NHL community had mixed reactions:

"Way too easy, think he will get more honestly." - One wrote

"Probably get hurt, he's too small" - Another added

Others suggested that Connor Bedard's production may come down to his ability to stay healthy:

"Barring injury there is like an 100% chance that happens." - One wrote

"Barring injury he gets 40+ this season." - Another added

Others believe that with the recent acquisitions Chicago has made, Connor Bedard will have more room on the ice to maneuver without being targeted by opposing teams.

"30 is a little bit light. With actual talent around him, his numbers will be around 40-55 for 95 pts. I think he’ll push for 100 points but fall just short" - One wrote

"Absolutely. Chicago did a fantastic job giving him a much better supporting cast this offseason, but it all depends if he can stay healthy" - Another added

"If he plays 82 games with the new wingers he has…he can easily get 40" - One suggested

Looking at the notable acquisitions the Chicago Blackhawks made this season to help Connor Bedard

As previously mentioned, the Chicago Blackhawks made some big acquisitions this offseason with the hope of enhancing the supporting cast around Connor Bedard. Most notably, the team re-acquired Teuvo Teravainen, who helped lead the team to a Stanley Cup in 2015.

Last season, Teravainen impressed with the Carolina Hurricanes, finishing the season with 53 points over 76 games played. Along with Teravainen, the team also acquired Tyler Bertuzzi, another notable forward who could find himself on the first line with Bedard once the season starts.

Last season, Bertuzzi played in 80 of the Maple Leafs' 82 games, logging 43 points before signing a four-year contract with the Blackhawks. In addition, the team also signed Ilya Mikheyev from the Vancouver Canucks, who finished last season with 31 points in 78 games.

At the same time, the Blackhawks front office also drafted some impressive young talent. Most notably, they selected defenceman Artyom Levshunov as the second overall pick before deciding that rather than return to Michigan State he would turn pro.

Along with Levshunov, the team also drafted Sacha Boisvert, who finished last season with 68 points in 61 games for the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks, and Marek Vanacker, who logged 82 points in 68 games for the Brantford Bulldogs.