Is Connor Bedard a Hart candidate if the Blackhawks make the playoffs?
Fans in the Windy City have been spoiled through the first month of the 2025-26 NHL regular season, as Connor Bedard is playing the best hockey of his career.
Bedard, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick, has 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 points through the Chicago Blackhawks’ first 19 games, putting him fourth in the league in total points. The 20-year-old center recorded a hat trick Tuesday night, leading the Blackhawks to a 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames.
CONNOR BEDARD GETS HIS SECOND CAREER HAT TRICK 🎩 🎩 🎩 pic.twitter.com/l6lTSzGUhq
— NHL (@NHL) November 19, 2025Chicago now holds a 10-5-4 record with 24 points, tied for third in the Central Division. While the Central has been traditionally top heavy with the likes of the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets, the Blackhawks are holding their own through the first quarter of the season. If Chicago does end up making the playoffs, there’s no doubt it will be in large part due to Bedard’s production.
On Wednesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton discuss the Blackhawks’ success and if Bedard should be considered for the Hart Trophy if he leads the team to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Tyler Yaremchuk: If the Blackhawks make the playoffs, is Bedard not going to be the MVP?
Carter Hutton: I don’t think it’s a bad thought. The problem for me is that there’s just not a lot of runway for the Hawks, because realistically, if they’re getting in, it’s a Wild Card. Who are they going to trump when you look at the Avalanche, Stars and Jets? Those three are not going anywhere.
I do agree with you: if Chicago gets in and he’s scoring at this pace, there’s a good argument that he could be the MVP of this league.
You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…