The Chicago Blackhawks will be playing in 13 nationally televised games this upcoming season. Well, I should rephrase that a little bit, Connor Bedard will be playing in 13 nationally televised games this upcoming season.
Connor Bedard makes the Blackhawks national broadcast favorite
Last season Blackhawks games were not the most fun games to watch in the NHL. Sure, seeing Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane’s farewell tour in Hawks uniforms was fun, but overall this team did not have a lot of excitement.
This upcoming season will be a little bit different. The Blackhawks have the next generational star in the making in Connor Bedard, and he will be on national television a lot this upcoming season. The Blackhawks will be in 13 nationally televised games, with their first one coming up when their season stars on Oct. 10 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Blackhawks getting 13 nationally televised games, did surprise me a little bit. That is more than the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning, but at the same time, fans are going to want to watch Bedard play this season.
Happy two months since Draft Day to all who celebrate! pic.twitter.com/SNcxfIPCoN
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) August 28, 2023
The Hawks now enter a new era with Connor Bedard on the ice. Within the next few seasons as the team gets better and better there is a good chance this team will get to experience another outdoor game, something the Hawks have played in a lot in the past.
While the Hawks have had a lot of out door games before, they have not had one with Connor Bedard, and this national broadcast schedule really serves as a reminder that the league wants to market their top stars.
The Chicago Blackhawks 2023-24 national broadcast 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
There are a lot of fun matchups on this list, obviously Bedard vs Sidney Crosby in the first matchup is going to be a lot of fun, but even seeing him play against an original six team in Boston or against Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon when the Hawks play Edmonton and Colorado.
Overall, the Hawks nationally televised games has a lot of exciting matchups for fans to watch. Plus it will be awesome to listen to former Hawks color commentator Eddy Olcyzk work a Bedard game this season.
Hawks fans won’t have to wait until October to watch Bedard play though. The preseason and prospect showcase are coming up in the coming weeks! Get ready Hawks fans, the season is almost here.