Former NHL forward and current NHL on TNT analyst Paul Bissonnette has made hockey headlines with his critical analysis of Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard.
During the intermission of the Blackhawks game against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, Bissonnette on the TNT broadcast called Bedard’s play style, “pond hockey.”
He mentioned that while Bedard can and will put up points, he believes his lack of executing the “little details” is going to be a preventative factor in the Blackhawks’ success.
Connor Bedard dismissed TNT’s comments
The 19-year-old Bedard has brushed off the comments made by Bissonnette and others on his play saying that he does not watch the broadcasts and that he does not take criticism personally. He understands where he needs to improve. However, the Blackhawks social media team did not shy away from throwing counterpunches.
After their 6-2 win over the Predators Friday night, the Blackhawks social media team posted a stat and graphic of Bedard’s 22 points over his last 21 games and compared them to Bissonnette’s career 22 NHL points.
22 points in 21 games vs. 22 points in your NHL career
that's pond hockey baby pic.twitter.com/yk96PuvTd3
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 8, 2025
Was Bissonnette’s criticism of the Chicago Blackhawks star fair?
One might ask if Bissonnette deserved the shade after making what he thought was a valid analysis of Bedard’s play. After all, even if Bissonnette was not a star at the NHL level, he is still more talented and knowledgeable about the game than most. What seems less fair of his comments was not so much his breakdown of the tape, but how he framed his criticism.
Yes, there are areas Bedard needs to grow in. Especially with the “little details”, there are undeniably struggles still there.
Bissonnette pointed Bedard’s positioning on the ice during a sequence when he wanted the puck with Connor McDavid on him, a bad no-look pass that resulted in a turnover, taking a hooking penalty after the miscue, getting the puck poked away after getting out of the box, and a weaker pass that got picked off leading to an Oilers goal.
All valid things to break down on tape, but his “pond hockey” comments and saying how they will continue to lose games with him playing like that is where the disconnect occurs. Bedard is a 19-year-old kid in his second year in the NHL playing on a rebuilding team and so much is being put on him. He is not the primary reason they are losing games.
After his one goal and one assist night on Friday, he enters Saturday with 16 goals and 32 assists on the year.
TSN’s StatsCentre pointed out that Bedard over his first 121 NHL games trails just six centers all-time in points-per-game who were teenagers. This list includes Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby, Dale Hawerchuk, and Steve Yzerman. That is too good of company to have someone calling Bedard’s play, “pond hockey.”
Though goal scoring has been much tougher to come by thus far, Connor Bedard has produced points to a high degree for a teenaged player. Coming into tonight’s @NHLBlackhawks outing vs NSH, his career points per game through 121 NHL contests trails just 6 other teen centres here pic.twitter.com/kM81t0V5RY
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) February 8, 2025
Media and fans rallying around Connor Bedard
Clearly, this struck a nerve with Blackhawks fans. However, the comments are also being used in a fun and humorous way. Various Blackhawks and hockey outlets have been posting Bedard highlights, notably of his one-timer goal on Friday, and making “pond hockey” jokes and sarcastic headlines.
Some call back to Patrick Kane’s famous, “That’s hockey baby!” speech.
THAT’S POND HOCKEY BABY pic.twitter.com/xKySeaVd7Z
— CHGO Blackhawks (@CHGO_Blackhawks) February 8, 2025
Seems like this will be a trend when Bedard scores among fans and local media going forward. Weirdly, it’s helping rally a fanbase together that has been struggling to cling onto another season in the basement of the standings.
To Bissonnette’s credit, he on X expressed his admiration of Blackhawks fans’ passion when sticking up for their guy. He understands his analysis and criticism will get him criticized and he can take the heat. Regardless of how one might feel about his opinions, that is a professional way to handle things.
I respect the hell out of Blackhawks fans for having Bedard’s back in all this. The passion isn’t going unnoticed. Can’t wait till Chicago is back in the playoff mix and Connor is lighting the league on fire. In the meantime you can direct your frustration towards me. I can take…
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) February 6, 2025
It is understandable to see why people feel the Blackhawks’ official account throwing shade at Bissonnette’s career stats was a bit over the top. It is also understandable to look at Bissonnette’s “pond hockey” comments as over the top as well.
At the end of the day, if Bissonnette and Bedard can take the heat, which is part of sports, then there is no real harm done. Bissonnette had his opinions and the Blackhawks defended their franchise face.
As mentioned before, Bissonnette might have created a new rallying cry for the Blackhawks faithful. That is something to motivate from.
Chicago Blackhawks coach, Connor Bedard respond to national criticism of 19 Y.O.
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