Button: Connor Bedard Can Make the Blackhawks Stanley Cup Contenders Again

Craig Button has seen a lot of hockey. He started working in the front office of the Minnesota North Stars (yes, pre-Dallas move) back in 1988 and has served as a general manager, scout and now serves as a lead draft analyst for TSN. So when he says big things about a prospect, it’s not usually hyperbole.

And he gushed about the impact Connor Bedard will have on the Chicago Blackhawks after the draft lottery went final on Monday night.

“You know, it’s no surprise to me that [the Blackhawks] have sold that number of season tickets because they know what great players can mean to an organization.”

Button is referring to Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane being centerpieces in an organizational renaissance that culminated in three Stanley Cup championships. And he believes the Blackhawks can get back to the mountain top building around Bedard.

“It’s not going to be immediate for the Chicago Blackhawks in terms of contending for the Stanley Cup. But like Mario Lemieux, like Eric Lindros, like Sidney Crosby, like Connor McDavid, when you get those players you know you’re going to be a Stanley Cup contender in time.”

Yeah, there’s a lot to be excited about as a Blackhawks fan right now.