Connor Bedard says he’d be ‘very lucky’ to play alongside Patrick Kane

Connor Bedard is eager for the chance to share the ice with Patrick Kane after the Chicago Blackhawks icon returned to the city this NHL offseason. Kane signed a two-year, $16 million contract, bringing one of the franchise’s greatest players back to help lead its next generation.

Speaking with TSN’s OverDrive, Bedard praised Kane’s ability to elevate everyone around him. He believes the veteran winger can transform any line through his vision and creativity.

“Everyone he’s played with, he’s made them better,” Bedard said. “Probably the best hands ever in the history of hockey and one of the best passers, some of the best IQ.”

MORE: Blackhawks GM offers ex-captain Jonathan Toews an open invitation for another stint

Bedard continued by highlighting Kane’s elite hockey sense.

“If it’s me or whoever is playing on his line, it’s going to make that player so much better,” Bedard said. “I’d be very lucky to get some passes from him for sure.”

Kane enters his second stint with Chicago after collecting 57 points in 67 games with the Detroit Red Wings last season. The three-time Stanley Cup champion owns 1,400 career points in 1,369 regular-season games and ranks second in Blackhawks history with 1,225 points.

Bedard was excited about Kane’s potential return to Chicago when his Blackhawks rumors first surfaced.

“I was pretty fired up,” Bedard said. “You kind of hear it could happen, and you’re hearing Chicago or Buffalo or whatever, and you’re just kind of praying that he joins us.

“Probably everyone on the team texted every other person on the team how fired up they were and just to have someone like that, obviously the legacy portion of it but just him as a player as well, he’s going to add a lot to us. We’re all thrilled for sure.”

Bedard, meanwhile, recently signed a five-year, $75 million extension and is recovering from shoulder surgery. The young center is expected to miss the opening weeks of the season but remains excited about Kane’s arrival.

Patrick Kane’s expectations from Connor Bedard & others

Kane made it clear he wants to help Chicago’s young core without creating unnecessary distance inside the locker room.

“I hope that’s not the case where it’s like I’m coming in and they’re looking at me differently than they would any of their other teammates,” Kane said.

“I know there’s probably gonna be certain circumstances where that happens, but yeah, I kinda wanna be just like… I’m not saying I wanna be like another guy on the team. I wanna be a big leader and help the team take the next steps, but I want them to view me as their teammate.”

He also stressed that his return is about competing, not celebrating past achievements.

“I’m not coming home to ride off into the sunset,” Kane said. “I want to be a big player here.”

Kane’s return arrives at the perfect time. Chicago has added experienced talent while continuing to build around Bedard. His playmaking could ease pressure on younger forwards during the early season, especially while Bedard recovers.

MORE: Blackhawks face fan fury over Patrick Kane’s $8M AAV contract

If the pair eventually skate together, Chicago could feature one of the league’s most exciting combinations. Bedard brings elite finishing ability, while Kane remains one of hockey’s smartest playmakers. Their partnership could accelerate the Blackhawks’ rebuild and strengthen their push toward playoff contention.