When will Connor Bedard play his first NHL game?

Connor Bedard, the highly-touted prospect selected as the first overall pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Draft, is likely to make his NHL debut on Oct. 10, when the Blackhawks face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

With the NHL unveiling the schedule for the 2023-24 regular season, fans can now mark their calendars and prepare for an action-packed evening of hockey. The excitement will kick off with a tripleheader exclusively broadcast on ESPN. The Vegas Golden Knights, the Stanley Cup champions, will be taking on the Seattle Kraken at 10:30 p.m. ET.

However, before the Vegas-Seattle matchup steals the spotlight, two other captivating games will take place on Oct. 10. At 5:30 p.m. ET, the Nashville Predators will go head-to-head with the Tampa Bay Lightning, setting the stage for an intense battle between two skilled and determined teams.

However, all eyes will be on the Chicago Blackhawks as they step onto the ice to face the Pittsburgh Penguins. The game holds special significance, as it will likely mark the NHL debut of Connor Bedard, of whom much is expected.

As Bedard takes to the ice wearing the iconic Blackhawks jersey, fans can expect an electric atmosphere at the United Center in Chicago.

What will Connor Bedard bring to the Chicago Blackhawks?

In the 2023 NHL Draft, Connor Bedard was chosen as the first overall pick by the Chicago Blackhawks. The team, having won the draft lottery in May, made the announcement in Nashville, Tennessee.

Bedard has proven his abilities in the WHL and with Team Canada at the world juniors. During his time with the Regina Pats last season, Bedard played in 57 regular season games, accumulating 71 goals and 72 assists, resulting in a total of 143 points. Throughout his WHL career, Bedard played 134 regular season games, contributing 134 goals and 137 assists, totaling 271 points.

Bedard's addition to the Blackhawks will make him the face of the franchise and provide immediate assistance to the team, which had a record of 26-49-7 in the previous season.

Furthermore, the Blackhawks possess additional picks in the 2023 NHL Draft, including selections at 19, 35, 44, 51, 55, 67, 93, 99, 131, and 195th overall, to further bolster their squad.