
TAMPA, Fla. — Over the past month, Connor Bedard had been tantalizing the hockey world with his occasional flashes of brilliance. He looked the part. He was matching expectations. With seven points in 11 games, he had been clearly the best player on the Blackhawks’ roster.
All the while, though, it felt like he hadn’t yet reached his highest level, hadn’t yet had his breakthrough moment, hadn’t yet evolved from very good player to superstar. Those closest to him wholeheartedly believed that next step was coming soon.