Ice Hockey-Bedard skates into NHL spotlight as new season begins

TORONTO : Chicago Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard skates into the spotlight when a new NHL season begins on Tuesday as Alexander Ovechkin looks to close in on one of hockey's treasured records and Canadians dream of an end to 30-year Stanley Cup drought.

The season launches on three fronts with the Vegas Golden Knights raising their first Stanley Cup championship banner before taking on the Seattle Kraken while the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Nashville Predators.

But the most anticipated contest of an opening night tripleheader will be the Blackhawks and Bedard in Pittsburgh to face the Penguins and the rookie's childhood idol Sidney Crosby.

Not since Crosby was taken number one overall in the 2005 draft has there been as much buzz around the arrival of a player described as a once in a generation talent.

The Blackhawks, who finished 30th among 32 teams last season, hit the jackpot when they won the draft lottery and used it to claim the dynamic 18-year-old forward, who is projected to become the franchise cornerstone.

To make sure Bedard is not crushed under the weight of expectations the Blackhawks acquired two former league most valuable players in Taylor Hall, the 2018 MVP and Corey Perry 2011 MVP to share the load and provide veteran leadership.

At 36-years-old Crosby is now "Sid the Kid" in name only but heads into the season as motivated as ever and looking to add a fourth Stanley Cup to a resume that includes two Olympic gold medals.

With an aging core and their championship window closing the Penguins signalled they will be all in acquiring Erik Karlsson, the Norris Trophy winner last season as the NHL's top defenseman.

Bedard may be the future and Crosby's best years in the past making Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid