DENVER — Regardless of what happens on the scoreboard Saturday when the Chicago Blackhawks play host to the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights for in their home opener, ticket resellers already won at the virtual box office.

Tickets on the secondary market for the Hawks’ United Center debut have sold for an average of $241.94, nearly double the $123.45 fans paid for last year’s opener, according to Logitix, a ticketing technology company.

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Call it the Connor Bedard bounce.

“Connor Bedard certainly doesn’t hurt things by any means,” said Travis Apple, chief revenue officer of Logitix. “With the publicity, the marketing behind that, that’s certainly a driving factor.”

Added Hawks president of business operations Jaime Faulkner: ”Some (resale) tickets are as high as $400, $500, depending on … where those tickets are.”

Bedard appears to be driving sales beyond the opener.

About 33% of seats for all home games have been sold on the secondary market than were sold at this point last season, according to Logitix.

And average prices for United Center games have increased 16% from last season, up to $149 from $128.

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“I don’t anticipate that’s going away,” Apple said, adding that prices for remaining tickets could even go up as it gets closer to a game if Bedard is performing well. “There’s going to be a lot of hype and excitement around not only him but the team as a whole. That will continue to plug away at a pretty consistent basis.”

Here are five things to know about the United Center opener and home games this season.

For the first time, the United Center will have grab-and-go kiosks on the 300 level, where the majority of fans sit.

The two “4-Star Markets” will sell hot dogs, pizza, popcorn, candy and other items using Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” technology, and fans can scan a credit card and buy concessions without a cashier, much like the 1800 Market near the East Atrium’s Michael Jordan statue and the Dashery Markets on the 200 level. The Hawks hope to add more locations as early as next season.

Hawks Chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz has made limiting lines a priority.

“Jaime and I walked up there I think a year or two ago, and it was one of the things that we identified as an area we’ve got to improve,” Wirtz told the Tribune last month. “We’ve got to get people what they want much faster so they get back and watch the game.”

Faulkner elaborated on Thursday: “The thing that I’ve heard (from fans) over and over again — and I spent a lot of time up on the 300 level last year — is it’s really hard to come out in between periods, get your food and get back to your seat on time.

“A lot of our fans were spending a lot of time in lines (and) they were missing the beginning of the following period. And so for us, it was super important to be able to get those Just Walk Outs up there to increase the throughput. We need you to be back in your seat when the puck drops for the following period.”

Here’s the rundown on a few more dining developments.

• Levy’s, the stadium’s food-service provider, has added a signature burger series that includes six recipes, with each available at one location within the arena, as well as a shaved prime rib sandwich at MadWest.
• On the beer front, the Corona Beach Bar opens near Section 309 and Goose Island, and the Bulls will roll out a new Bull & Goose Craft Beer, a light ale.

Most teams across all sports have gone digital and done away with paper tickets, and it has been a sore spot with some fans and collectors.

Now, for certain games, fans will be able to get their hands on tickets again — for a price.

The Hawks are rolling out a new program called “Blackhawks Classics,” in which people who attend a game that the team marks as “classic” can order tickets for $10 apiece, plus a flat shipping fee, as soon as the game ends.

“For example, the first night that Connor Bedard has a hat trick in our building, we will deem that a ‘Blackhawks Classic,’ Faulkner said. “In addition to (the team) being able to verify and get your seat (printed) on the back of that ticket, you will have a code like a QR code that if you put your phone over, it will give you the AR version of the highlight of his three goals for that game.”

But the games have to have enough historical significance to be marked as classic. And unlike other teams that offer commemorative paper tickets, the Hawks are limiting sales to fans who scanned in at the United Center and saw the game in person.

“It’s a privilege for those that bought the ticket that they should get that,” Faulkner said. “And that’s what would make it a collectible.”

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To view the AR, fans will have to download an app (to be revealed later in the instructions) and hold their phone’s camera over a digital seal or logo to launch that ticket’s special content.

The team’s long-term goal is to make the AR a feature of the Blackhawks’ official app.

Fans also can buy commemorative tickets that mark their first game, birthday or other special occasion; those tickets just won’t contain the augmented reality feature.

The first 15,000 people (21 or older) to arrive Saturday at the United Center will receive a light-up rally towel. Here’s the schedule for the opening ceremonies.

4:30 p.m.: Madison Street will be closed to traffic as Hawks alumni walk the red carpet.

5:15 p.m. (approximately): Chris Chelios will be the focus of a Q&A session in the East Atrium.

6:45 p.m.: Fans should be in their seats for the opening show, roster introductions and a tribute to late Hawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz, who died July 25.

7 p.m.: Puck drop.

It won’t open until mid-December, but the bar’s location and added touches are designed to pay homage to Wirtz.

It will replace the Crown Royal Whisky Bar, located between the Ketel One Club — where he had dinner most nights, Faulkner said — and the Sonja Henie Room, the “office” where Wirtz held court with VIP guests.

And it’s also across from Section 119, where Wirtz watched Hawks games while sitting in a folding chair.

“It’s on the main concourse, so it’s accessible by everybody, which was really important,” Faulkner said.

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The decor will reflect Wirtz’s tastes, as will the liquor menu that features some of his favorites, including the old fashioned, margarita, Manhattan and Moscow mule. Appetizers will include black truffle fries and mini hot dogs, along with other dishes.

“The mixologist and bartenders there will have stories about either the drinks (or) some of the background of Rocky,” Faulkner said. “We’re going to have some of his sayings there.

“It was really important to us that there was a permanent piece of this building that brought Rocky’s spirit to life for our fanbase.”

Parking: Lots A, D, F and K will open at 2:30 p.m.

On air: On TV, the game as well as the pre- and postgame and intermission shows air on NBC Sports Chicago. The game streams on nbcsportschicago.com and airs on radio WGN-AM 720 and in Spanish on WRTO-AM 1200.

My First Game: It’s essentially a photo booth with the background customized for each home game that fans can take selfies in. It’s located in the East Atrium for the opener and on the 100-level concourse for future games.