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

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Bump - 5’9.75” 185 lbs. Shocking that he’s not 5’7” 160 lbs!

I was wrong. He's basically Zdeno Chara.

All I know is that when I was standing next to him in December (I think it was, may have been November), the kid was smaller than he is now.

I recently talked to a friend of mine in Hockey Alberta who said that he is becoming known (like Crosby was) for his tenacious workout regimen.

Nice to see he has put on some bulk, and yes, probably grown a bit in the last six months or so. I've seen some of his workouts online and it looks like he is putting in the time and effort needed to be strong enough for the NHL.

Let me make this clear - I am a big fan. Unlike 98% of the people on this board, I have watched him play live many, many times (living near Regina and going to Pats games since 1982). I have seen the kid up close. My observations were my observations at the time. I apologize that I did not predict his growth, and was possibly off by an inch and ten-fifteen pounds at the time. I guess I'm basically an idiot for doing so, and worthy of being embarassed and ridiculed despite my 45+ years in the game as a coach, scout, referee, fan and player.

 

[Despote]

Bedard Negging in full force. Looking forward to it for the next 11 years, lol

If you think Bedard skates better than Jack Hughes well you're just wrong. It's a notable difference.

 

[ViD]

Yep - Bedard is ONLY 5-9.75 ... but he is 185 and jacked. Also, unlike Fantilli and Carlsson who decided to skip all the testing - Bedard relished the challenge. That tells you about him as a competitor.

Those guys played in WHC though

 

[EbonyRaptor]

Those guys played in WHC though

They were there for the interviews.

 

[ViD]

They were there for the interviews.

Yeah, but I guess they were physically tired and not prepared for the tests. They don’t really want to have terrible test results there

 

[EbonyRaptor]

Yeah, but I guess they were physically tired and not prepared for the tests. They don’t really want to have terrible test results there

Guys that played in the Memorial Cup were there and did the tests - they weren't too physically tired ... but whatever - not a big deal.

 

[CallMeShaft]

Bedard is competitive because of what he did at the world juniors and the playoffs for Regina. Not for him showing up for some tests at the combine.

 

[prongertheman9]

I was wrong. He's basically Zdeno Chara.

All I know is that when I was standing next to him in December (I think it was, may have been November), the kid was smaller than he is now.

I recently talked to a friend of mine in Hockey Alberta who said that he is becoming known (like Crosby was) for his tenacious workout regimen.

Nice to see he has put on some bulk, and yes, probably grown a bit in the last six months or so. I've seen some of his workouts online and it looks like he is putting in the time and effort needed to be strong enough for the NHL.

Let me make this clear - I am a big fan. Unlike 98% of the people on this board, I have watched him play live many, many times (living near Regina and going to Pats games since 1982). I have seen the kid up close. My observations were my observations at the time. I apologize that I did not predict his growth, and was possibly off by an inch and ten-fifteen pounds at the time. I guess I'm basically an idiot for doing so, and worthy of being embarassed and ridiculed despite my 45+ years in the game as a coach, scout, referee, fan and player.

SMH this is embarrassing.

Gretzky is 6 feet tall. Crosby is 5'10.5 and a piece of muscle. I'm about 5'11". I have stood next to Bedard (a couple of months ago). Bedard is four inches shorter than me and at BEST 160 lbs, no matter what they list him as. He is more in the Theoren Fleury range, not Crosby range, and has not grown this year.

Imagine being this wrong and still not really admitting it and instead acting like a victim. This is comedy.

 

[Sweetpotato]

Not sure why people keep bringing in Jack Hughes. Bedard is a better skater than Hughes at the same age man.

120 point potential in his prime. Hits 85-90,in his rookie season.

He absolutely is not dude, Bedard is a great skater, Hughes has ALWAYS been elite.

 

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaa]

SMH this is embarrassing.

Imagine being this wrong and still not really admitting it and instead acting like a victim. This is comedy.

I was wrong. I admitted I was off by an inch or so and maybe 10-15 lbs. I guess you missed that part when you were trying to perfect your best Biff from Back to the Future impression.

I'm not embarassed because I'm a nice guy who doesn't attempt to gain clout from being a jackhole, even if I make mistakes.

 

[Akrapovince]

I was wrong. I admitted I was off by an inch or so and maybe 10-15 lbs. I guess you missed that part when you were trying to perfect your best Biff from Back to the Future impression.

I'm not embarassed because I'm a nice guy who doesn't attempt to gain clout from being a jackhole, even if I make mistakes.

I get what you’re saying, but a lot of people see the same player that is 5’11 185 a lot different than if he were 6’1/6’ 200.

And if that isn’t a big difference to you, than Bedard’s stature should be of no concern.

 

[prongertheman9]

I was wrong. I admitted I was off by an inch or so and maybe 10-15 lbs. I guess you missed that part when you were trying to perfect your best Biff from Back to the Future impression.

I'm not embarassed because I'm a nice guy who doesn't attempt to gain clout from being a jackhole, even if I make mistakes.

Lol you were adamant that he was AT BEST 5’7 160lbs. No one would be giving you a hard time if it were an inch and 10 pounds off.

 

[EbonyRaptor]

I was wrong. I admitted I was off by an inch or so and maybe 10-15 lbs. I guess you missed that part when you were trying to perfect your best Biff from Back to the Future impression.

I'm not embarassed because I'm a nice guy who doesn't attempt to gain clout from being a jackhole, even if I make mistakes.

Somehow not being honest with how much you were off kind of invalidates your "admission of being wrong". Now, if you had said you were off by almost 3 inches and 25 pounds - maybe your admission would seem honest ... but instead you weaseled it.

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

Not even 5'10, jeez.

Can't be drafting dwarfs at #1 overall, infact should probably fall out of the top 10 at that size, let whoever drafts 11 take the chance on him

 

[Wally1112pac]

Top prospect Connor Bedard named IIHF Male Player of the Year | TSN

Connor Bedard has another award to add to his trophy case. The top prospect in the upcoming NHL draft was named the inaugural winner of IIHF Male Player of the Year on Monday.

www.tsn.ca

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

Somehow not being honest with how much you were off kind of invalidates your "admission of being wrong". Now, if you had said you were off by almost 3 inches and 25 pounds - maybe your admission would seem honest ... but instead you weaseled it.

Those were "at best" too. Saying someone is "at best" 160 lbs is implying they are likely not , and could very well be in the 155 range, so it was really like 30lbs off.

In my experience, people in general are terrible at gauging other people's weight. Anyone who tells me they are certain about someone's weight, even if they stood right beside them, I immediately don't believe. I've seen guys who "look" a lot different than what the scale reads too many times to trust anyone's eye test on weight.

Height can be somewhat easier, but still not easy, as shown by how certain someone can be and having them be 3 inches off.

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter, look at him he's a physical freak who clearly puts in countless hours to be in peak condition, he has all the skill in the world and he's no smaller than multiple NHL Stars are currently. I think we all knew he wasn't 5'7, but even if he was I wouldn't be that turned off on his potential because of it, he could easily be the next MSL if that were the case

 

[Team_Spirit]

 

[CallMeShaft]

How do I dislike posts on this site?

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Pretty clear @Aaaaaaaaaaaaa himself is a lot shorter than he thinks lmao

 

[Mrfenn92]

 

[Gold Standard]

Looks like I'll be following a lot of Chicago's games in the 2023-24. It's been a few years (a lot) since Chicago games were most see tv viewing.

Hopefully the NHL schedule makers give us an intriguing opening game in Oct. to kick off the season. But I'm skeptical they will.

 

[EbonyRaptor]

A copy and paste from The Athletic. This time it's Wheeler who asked WHL GM's, coaches and players to tell him something about Bedard he doesn't know. Since some have wondered if he'll be a center in the NHL I liked reading the following. And if it's even possible this coach thinks Bedard is underrated!!!!


"Anonymous coach: He wants the puck all over the ice. It’s not like he just wants it off the rush. He wants the puck low, he wants the puck high, he wants it everywhere. And you just want the puck on his stick as much as possible, which is why I think he’s best as a centre. I think it would be wild to have him as a winger (in the NHL). And his competitiveness, I felt like that was something that people really undervalued. Like he’s chippy and he’ll self-govern himself. Like he’ll go after guys. People were taking full-blown runs at this kid and he’s throwing bigger reverse hits, he’s getting elbows up, and he’s right in the mix of things. I think it’s still underrated, even now."

 

[ORRFForever]

A copy and paste from The Athletic. This time it's Wheeler who asked WHL GM's, coaches and players to tell him something about Bedard he doesn't know. Since some have wondered if he'll be a center in the NHL I liked reading the following. And if it's even possible this coach thinks Bedard is underrated!!!!


"Anonymous coach: He wants the puck all over the ice. It’s not like he just wants it off the rush. He wants the puck low, he wants the puck high, he wants it everywhere. And you just want the puck on his stick as much as possible, which is why I think he’s best as a centre. I think it would be wild to have him as a winger (in the NHL). And his competitiveness, I felt like that was something that people really undervalued. Like he’s chippy and he’ll self-govern himself. Like he’ll go after guys. People were taking full-blown runs at this kid and he’s throwing bigger reverse hits, he’s getting elbows up, and he’s right in the mix of things. I think it’s still underrated, even now."

He is underrated - assuming he can stay healthy.

I have been watching the World Juniors since before I can remember and I have NEVER seen a player, at his age, dominate like he did. NEVER!

Even at the summer tournament, he was amazing - you couldn't take your eyes off him.

At Christmas, he was the most dangerous player on the ice by a country mile - even against the strong teams. How many players can say that at 17? Sid, at the same age, wasn't there - and he had the best WJR team ever around him.

Bedard just needs to stay healthy - he is not a big man and there will be trash in the NHL trying to take him out.

**

Some players have "it". Something that sets them apart in BIG games. Something so rare that 1 player in 10 years has "it". Sid had "it". McDavid has "it". Bedard has "it".

"IT" does this...



...AND this...

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

He is underrated - assuming he can stay healthy.

I have been watching the World Juniors since before I can remember and I have NEVER seen a player, at his age, dominate like he did. NEVER!

At Christmas, he was the most dangerous player on the ice by a country mile - even against the strong teams. How many players can say that at 17? Sid, at the same age, wasn't there - and he had the best WJR team ever around him.

Even at the summer tournament, he was amazing - you couldn't take your eyes off him - and he was far better at Christmas.

He just needs to stay healthy - he is not a big man and there will be trash in the NHL trying to take him out.

**

Some players have "it". Something that sets them apart when the game is on the line. Something so rare than 1 player in 10 years has it. Sid had "it". McDavid has "it". Bedard has "it".

"IT" does this...



...AND this...

That shit is unstoppable at that level. Unreal hands and edgework there.

 

[jj cale]

I thnk he is as good a prospect coming out of junior as Mcdavid was, I don't care if he isn't the skater like Mcd, he has other things that make up for that and he just has that " it" factor, he's such a gamer and so focused.