C Connor Bedard (2023, 1st, CHI) Part 6

[Cowumbus]

Bedard's Regina teammates will have to hit him up for tickets, because that's the only way those kids are seeing an NHL arena.

That Czech (I think) Defenseman is the only player worth a damn. You could take a nap every time the puck wasn't on Bedard's stick.

Svozil? Future CBJ teammates

 

[Mr Buckles]

Bedard's last ever WHL point (an assist):


Disappointed to learn he won't be heading to the World Championship

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Does anyone how much ice time he gets?
- connor took almost 40 face-offs in his last game (regulation game, no OT)

40 is just so ridiculous number that... he must get tons of ice time per game

 

[Sweetpotato]

Damn looked like a trip to me on the replay there, definitely a sour ending to an amazing junior career.

Apparently(according to the Saskatoon color guy) Bedard won't be representing Canada at the World Championships.

Bedard's last ever WHL point (an assist):


Disappointed to learn he won't be heading to the World Championship

If true that would be a huge buzz kill if he doesn't go to the WHC.

 

[Just Linda]

Does anyone how much ice time he gets?
- connor took almost 40 face-offs in his last game (regulation game, no OT)

40 is just so ridiculous number that... he must get tons of ice time per game

The stats guy on the radio said ~35 minutes tonight. It didn't feel quite that high, I'd guess around 28.

 

[ozzie]

As impressive as his playoff numbers were, he still tracked behind McDavid and slightly behind Crosby and Lindros playoff draft years. Still unreal and amazing of course. Just some perspective.

He was in the same ballpark when it mattered most on a pretty crappy team. Not sure if it means anything at all or not, just an observation and more reasons to be excited.

 

[SlafySZN]

 

[Nash]

That was such an ugly final game. Officiating was typical game seven style in hockey, where you get away with so much more. Bedard was pinned on the boards, and even sat on behind the net, when he didn’t have the puck. I’m not shocked he couldn’t generate much tonight. Just lots of obstruction. Good game plan by Saskatoon.

 

[Just Linda]

That was such an ugly final game. Officiating was typical game seven style in hockey, where you get away with so much more. Bedard was pinned on the boards, and even sat on behind the net, when he didn’t have the puck. I’m not shocked he couldn’t generate much tonight. Just lots of obstruction. Good game plan by Saskatoon.

To be fair, he was holding the stick the whole time. The ref yelled 'you have his stick' twice when he was pandering for the call.

He's quite familiar with that officiating team, they've been on the ice together quite a bit.

 

[HockeyFan100]

Pats should've traded him to a contender.

 

[Just Linda]

Pats should've traded him to a contender.

Can't trade a 17 year old without their consent. Not much they could've done.

 

[macbowes]

I think the fact that Bedard wanted to stick it out with the team that drafted him says a lot about his character. I don't blame Regina for not trading him. How can you let go of such a special player, regardless of whatever value is on the table? He's a part of history.

 

[Blue and Green]

As impressive as his playoff numbers were, he still tracked behind McDavid and slightly behind Crosby and Lindros playoff draft years.

McDavid: 2.45 points per game in his pre-draft playoffs
Crosby: 2.38
Lindros: 2.38
Bedard: 2.86

 

[Gold Standard]

This is to play at the Men’s World Championships

It is not overly common for players not yet 18 to play at the WHC, but it has occurred on occasion, just not not for Hockey Canada. What is being intimated here is that it is an insurance issue. Extra insurance needs to be purchased in order for a 17 year old to play at the mens tournament. And perhaps Hockey Canada is not willing to pay the extra premium. We will find out in the next week or so. I'll be disappointed if I got to wait a year to see Bedard play a WHC tournament. but since I was playing with the idea of travelling to Prague next year for the event, this would all but guarantee my travel plans to Cesko next year.

 

[WarriorofTime]

It is not overly common for players not yet 18 to play at the WHC, but it has occurred on occasion, just not not for Hockey Canada. What is being intimated here is that it is an insurance issue. Extra insurance needs to be purchased in order for a 17 year old to play at the mens tournament. And perhaps Hockey Canada is not willing to pay the extra premium. We will find out in the next week or so. I'll be disappointed if I got to wait a year to see Bedard play a WHC tournament. but since I was playing with the idea of travelling to Prague next year for the event, this would all but guarantee my travel plans to Cesko next year

Do you know the last Canadian to play in the WHC while still 17? I think it’s less so Hockey Canada not wanting to pay a premium and more so a logistical/paperwork nightmare for Bedard himself that would require a lot of hoop jumping in a short time given he is a minor, that it might not be worth it. Then again, this is all based on some random whl broadcaster’s word (which he then hedged) so who knows.

 

[Gold Standard]

Do you know the last Canadian to play in the WHC while still 17? I think it’s less so Hockey Canada not wanting to pay a premium and more so a logistical/paperwork nightmare for Bedard himself that would require a lot of hoop jumping in a short time given he is a minor, that it might not be worth it. Then again, this is all based on some random whl broadcaster’s word (which he then hedged) so who knows.

I'm not aware of any 17 year old suiting up for Team Canada at the WHC. Wasn't there an Austrian 17 year old to play recently? If there are hoops that Bedard needs to jump through, I doubt he personally has to do anything, but his reps and his agent can get the paperwork done, he simply signs the docs and Hockey Canada pays the extra premium. If that is indeed the issue. I'm more inclined to believe Hockey Canada is not interested in paying that extra premium. But again. just me speculating. I hope he plays.

 

[ozzie]

McDavid: 2.45 points per game in his pre-draft playoffs
Crosby: 2.38
Lindros: 2.38
Bedard: 2.86

Apologies, you are correct. for some reason I thought he had played 10 games, too many 10's across the state line. My mistake. Forget everything I just said, he trumped them all.

 

[Deleted member 339941]

 

[hockeykid87]

I'm surprised that he didn't get a call there to be honest. WHL doesn't subscribe to the NHL game management.

Also I hope that Blades fans continue to show up in the 2nd round like this. I say this as someone that lived in Saskatoon for a number of years and went to my share of Blades games, it's kind of embarrassing that it takes Regina to make them care about their team finally.

(They won't)

 

[Just Linda]

(They won't)

Playoff passes are sold out, that accounts for about half of the tickets.

Should be about 10-11k people at the genes moving forward.

 

[Just Linda]

I'm not aware of any 17 year old suiting up for Team Canada at the WHC. Wasn't there an Austrian 17 year old to play recently? If there are hoops that Bedard needs to jump through, I doubt he personally has to do anything, but his reps and his agent can get the paperwork done, he simply signs the docs and Hockey Canada pays the extra premium. If that is indeed the issue. I'm more inclined to believe Hockey Canada is not interested in paying that extra premium. But again. just me speculating. I hope he plays.

The rumour going around among teams last night is that there was an insurance/ liability issue which meant that Bedard's family would have to cover their own costs and would have to do the work themselves. I believe HC was informed that they couldn't/ shouldn't cover the costs/ effort due to legalities.

Take it with a grain of salt of course, we don't know until we do know.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Someone on here a few weeks ago he might play u18s to play with his friends, and truth to that?

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Someone on here a few weeks ago he might play u18s to play with his friends, and truth to that?

If he can't do the WHC he might go get himself another Gold at U18. Just have to wait and see, don't see him doing both.

 

[independent observer]

McDavid: 2.45 points per game in his pre-draft playoffs
Crosby: 2.38
Lindros: 2.38
Bedard: 2.86

But compared to the others he played just one serie

Tanner Howe is younger than Bedard and is a player...

suzdalev is good too on jr level. Bedard had decent topline mates… the team just didn‘t have depth.

 

[Dust]

Someone on here a few weeks ago he might play u18s to play with his friends, and truth to that?

It's kind of hilarious that he's still eligible to play in that Tourny as probably the best player not in the NHL right now.