Chicago Blackhawks — presumably with Connor Bedard — will appear 13 times on national TV this season
Barring the unthinkable — Connor Bedard not making the Chicago Blackhawks opening roster — the whole country will get to watch his NHL debut.
The Blackhawks will appear on national television 13 times this season, according to a schedule released Wednesday, including the Oct. 10 opener in Pittsburgh.
Bedard could face off against longtime idol and Penguins legend Sidney Crosby in that game, one of eight that will air on one of Disney’s platforms: ESPN, ESPN+ or Hulu.
The other five nationally televised games are on TNT. The local TV schedule on NBC Sports Chicago will be announced later.
The U.S. audience could get two rounds of Connor versus Connor — Bedard against McDavid — when the Hawks face the Edmonton Oilers on Dec. 12 (ESPN) and Jan. 9 (ESPN+/Hulu).
Bedard recently discussed how much McDavid has influenced him.
Potential marquee matchups in terms of star power appears to be a theme, with national TV schedule makers selecting two Hawks games apiece against the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche.
However, the audience for the Hawks’ final national TV appearance — Feb. 21 against the Philadelphia Flyers at the United Center — could pale by comparison given both teams finished in the draft lottery last season.
One could argue there’s at least one missed opportunity: Bedard, a native of North Vancouver, British Columbia, returns to his hometown when the Hawks visit the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 22.
Here’s the full schedule. (*time change from the original schedule)
Oct. 10: at Penguins, 7 p.m., ESPN/ESPN+
Oct. 11: at Bruins, 6:30 p.m., TNT
Oct. 19: at Avalanche, 9:30 p.m., ESPN
Oct. 24: vs. Bruins, 7:30 p.m., ESPN/ESPN+
Nov. 16: vs. Lightning, 7 p.m. (*), ESPN+/Hulu
Dec. 12: at Oilers, 9 p.m., ESPN
Jan. 9: vs. Oilers, 7:30 p.m., ESPN+/Hulu
Jan. 17: at Sabres, 6:30 p.m., TNT
Jan. 24: at Kraken, 9 p.m., TNT
Feb. 7: vs. Wild, 8:30 p.m., TNT
Feb. 21: vs. Flyers, 6:30 p.m., TNT
Feb. 29: vs. Avalanche, 8 p.m., ESPN
April 16: at Golden Knights, 9 p.m. (*), ESPN+/Hulu
