Bedard: Hawks 'Gotta Push' for Playoffs

0:00It's April 16th, I'm Cory with the story, and this is NHL News today, AI-powered updates on your squad. Connor Bredard is all in on the Chicago Black Hawks, straight up saying they got to push hard for the Stanley Cup playoffs next season. After their sixth straight year missing the postseason, the 20-year-old star center made it clear this rebuild phase needs to end. Games can't just be filler anymore, they need to fight for a spot right through April. Bredard owned a lot of the blame for the team's mid-season slide, especially when his own production dipped after a hot start. He wrapped up his three-year entry-level deal, worth $2.85 million, and expects to resign soon as a restricted free agent on July 1st. He held off talks to stay locked in on the ice and is showed. Fans and teammates feel the fire too. Bredard has total faith in the management, coaches, and every player in the room praising their work ethic and... skill. General manager Kyle Davidson heard the same hunger from multiple guys during exit interviews Thursday.

1:02Bredard hit career highs with 30 goals, 75 points, and averaged 20 minutes 52 seconds of ice time per game, tops among, forwards. The Hawks made real strides this year, finishing with 29 wins, 39 losses, and 14 overtime losses, four more victories, and 11 more points than last season. Their penalty kill ranked second league-wide at 86.4%. Davidson's eyeing free agency adds if it fits, knowing the young core needs to keep developing fast. With Bredard leading the charge, this group's motivated to grow together and hit the playoffs. It's going to be a fun ride watching them level up.