Who’s captaining the Chicago Blackhawks has been a topic of discussion ever since the team traded Nick Foligno at last year’s trade deadline. Before Foligno’s tenure, the captaincy was left vacant for a season after Jonathan Toews‘ 15-year stint. 

This time, the search should take only the remainder of the offseason. Connor Bedard is the clear-cut choice to captain the young, up-and-coming Blackhawks.

Entering his fourth year, Bedard has already proven his status as one of the league’s top talents. His ability to stay healthy has been a cause for concern, but there’s no denying his impact when he is on the ice. Even beyond his play, his leadership qualities are clear.

Connor Bedard is Clearly Committed

The average hockey fan will never see what the everyday workings of a locker room look like. The captaincy is one variable that will almost always look different from the outside than it does on the inside. Fans can gauge a captain’s quality only so far, based on what they see on the ice and in media statements. Even Bedard, who hasn’t held the ‘C’ yet, has shown some teeth as a potential captain.

After signing his extension, Bedard’s agent Don Meehan discussed the situation with Ben Pope. There were plenty of quotable moments, but a few stuck out the most.

“[He] believes in the direction of the team, really believes in his teammates and doesn’t accept any kind of criticism of the organization or his teammates or anything,” Meehan said about Bedard’s feelings towards the team.

He has been more determined than ever, even after his offseason shoulder injury. If anything, it has driven him even more. Meehan said he told Kyle Davidson to expect Bedard in his office as soon as he feels fit to play, expecting clearance even if it’s weeks ahead of schedule.

Probably the most telling moment of the whole offseason was Bedard’s feelings towards an offer sheet, or the lack thereof.

After Leo Carlsson signed a five-year, $18 million offer sheet, questions swirled about Bedard, a restricted free agent at the time. After the dust settled, it seems as though it wasn’t even in the cards. In fact, he went as far as to say the risk of not playing hockey in Chicago was never worth it.

Connor Bedard is as much a Blackhawks diehard as he is a player.

The Patrick Kane Dilemma

When the Blackhawks first traded Patrick Kane away, the reasoning was clear. For a youth movement, it’s difficult for young players to rise when they’re expected to defer to what may be the greatest Blackhawks player of all time. With some time away, the youth have had a chance to ascend and take ownership of the locker room. Even so, Kane’s return complicates the captaincy.

Kane didn’t wear a letter for a lot longer than people remember. It wasn’t until after the glory years that he established himself as a leader, wearing the ‘A’ from 2015-16 until he was traded in 2023. He wore an ‘A’ for just one season in Detroit and had captaincy experience with Team USA. With a two-year contract, is a short captaincy stint in play?

It seems unlikely, but the possibility remains. At the end of the day, the team is vastly different now than it was three years ago. As for the roster, no one knows it better than Bedard. He has been through virtually the entire youth movement, has headlined it, and will likely now captain it. But that doesn’t mean Kane won’t be a leader; in fact, it seems the opposite.

Expect Kane to wear an ‘A’. It may not be his team fully, but he can lead no matter what. He knows how to win, what it means to be a Blackhawk, and what these young guns have to do to become more than just intriguing prospects. More than anything, Kane wants to contribute, and not just treat this contract as a reunion tour.

The Rest of the Leadership Group

Connor Bedard is almost certainly the captain; Kane should be an alternate. Assuming they follow last year’s formula, there is one more alternate captaincy to hand out. A few names make sense depending on what route the team wants to take.

Tyler Bertuzzi

The neutral pick. Bert spent time with the letter last year during a career year. In fact, after the trade deadline, he and Bedard were the only letter bearers. Like Bedard, he knows the evolving group very well and has been a consistent presence since his signing in 2024. He seems to have found a rhythm in Chicago with Jeff Blashill, converting his motor-driven playstyle into a scoring threat around the blue paint. Bert seems like a safe, solid choice.

Frank Nazar

If the Blackhawks really want to emphasize youth, Nazar would be the choice. The second draft pick of the Davidson regime, Nazar boasts leadership potential. He plays with swagger, he celebrates hard after he scores, and he’s energetic on the ice. He’s part of the Blackhawks’ long-term plans as Bedard’s sidekick, and granting him the alternate captaincy would make that clearer than ever.

Alex Vlasic

Vlasic has an interesting history with the Blackhawks. He was drafted in 2019 and was a vocal proponent of the benefits of departing from the Kane and Toews era. He reeks of confidence and is ready to make the playoffs. Who better than the hometown kid, a responsible defenseman, and a confident presence to serve as an alternate captain? Hopefully, the benefits he claimed of a Kane-less locker room have worked, and he can compound his newfound comfort with the vets’ return.

The Verdict

Connor Bedard is the captain, while Patrick Kane and Frank Nazar are the alternates. With so many options, the team could expand the leadership group with home-and-away alternates. Maybe Nazar and Kane assume the duties on the home front while Vlasic and Bert take the letters on the road. More than likely, they go with the three-man group, and Nazar seems like the high-potential choice.

Although Bertuzzi was exceptional last season, the team remains committed to its youth. With Kane likely to assume duties as an alternate captain, it only makes sense for the team to give the last letter to one of their young contributors. Plus, as many coaches say, there is always room for more voices. Even without a letter, leaders emerge and can impact the locker room in their own unique way.

Foligno was named captain on September 18th, right before training camp began. Even though Bedard will not start the season with the team, mid-September seems like another likely announcement period.

Keep the calendars marked, and let’s see who the organization will entrust with the next era of Blackhawks hockey.

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