The NHL season is roughly a month away, which means we are very close to seeing Connor Bedard take the ice in his first pro game.
The first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft is coming off of an incredible final season with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League, registering a whopping 143 points (71 goals, 72 assists) in 57 games. Now the countdown is on to see him find the back of the net for the first time in his professional career.
Of course, that means fans can wager on when they think Bedard will score his first NHL goal as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks. Here are the odds from DraftKings as to when that might happen.
Connor Bedard. A work of art. @BioSteelSports NHL CAMP pic.twitter.com/UiSxMvn0mW
— NHL (@NHL) August 30, 2023
Perhaps it's not surprising, but DK lists the Blackhawks' season-opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins as the +195 favorite for when Bedard will score his first NHL goal. This highly-anticipated matchup puts Bedard up against the likes of Sidney Crosby and reigning Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson, so it would be pretty spectacular if he found the back of the net in that game.
Some pundits are even speculating that Bedard could have a multi-goal debut, which wouldn't be all that surprising. Auston Mattews set a league record when he scored four goals in his NHL debut in 2016, and there's every reason to think Bedard can have a similarly special debut.
Bedard and the Blackhawks open the season against the Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
More must-reads:
Bark Bets is Yardbarker's free daily guide to the world of sports betting. You'll get:
Subscribe now!