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

[Waterbuf]

A lot of empty calorie analysis here

 

[LeProspector]

I've never watched him play, but I have a strong opinion about his future...

You fit right in on HF

 

[Nemesis Prime]

Lol at some of these takes after 1 game…and this was a game where Bedard was clearly the most dangerous player in Chicago every time he was on the ice.

Most endangered maybe.

 

[Bombshell11]

A lot of empty calorie analysis here

On par with the NHL's marketing campaigns

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

Yup, he drew one man out of posiyion then made an easy pass to a teammate in a great spot with time and ice to make a play. He made it look easy and of course it depends on what his linemate can do with the time and space provided, but it was perfect use of the other players on the ice. I think it was also Bedard who made the great zone entry to kick off the whole sequence.

Bedard made that whole shift happen IMO, that NOT a weak secondary assist.

The clip was conveniently cut to not show the previous 20 seconds where he turned the puck over twice inside his blue line and left his man all alone inexplicably. It was a good play later but I saw people in the GDT say it was an insane shift, but I thought it was also one of his more egregious defensive plays on a night that he had several.

There was bad with the good for him in this game as most would expect. I am sure the offense will be fine in the future, defensively there is a lot of room for adjustment.

 

[ORRFForever]

He played well - especially for an 18 year old in his first game. As I said elsewhere, he needs more strength to help with his center of gravity / so he won't be so easily pushed off the puck.

Everyone needs to lower their expectations for year one. He'll get to where you want him to be, just not this year. Still, if he plays all 82 games, he will be in the race for the Calder.

 

[FDBluth]

People are still not getting what a smart player Bedard is. Every time I see him I get the sense he's got an almost Gretzky like quality to his game. Gretzky never really made spectacular plays, or overpowered the opposition with speed strength or dangles. He was just ahead of the play all the time and knew where to put the puck to create chances, so most of his points looked like "easy" plays where he didn't do much. Bedard has the ability to be ahead of the play in much the same way.


Anyway I'll just add the additional note that Bedard lead the Hawks in xGF% by a comfortable margin. For a very young player in his first NHL game to be a play driver like that is impressive even if he didn't end up scoring.

I really hesitate to make the comparison but to me he's stylistically the most Gretzky-like player I've seen since 99. Mostly because he's a great skater without having amazing top end speed or size and because he thinks and plays the game so well laterally...and he just makes play after play that lead to scoring chance. His quick release/angle changing wrist shot actually also has a bit of a similar quality to Wayne's slapshot.

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

You are posting an extremely lukewarm take as if you are making any kind of a point. I don't think many expect him to reach quite those levels of greatness, many expect him to reach the highest level you can after that, and he certainly looks the part.

He’s been touted as generational for years, and there’s threads about when is he going to overtake McDavid as the best player in the world, what are you posting? “Lukewarm”

 

[deleted user]

Bedard will be fun to watch as he evolves and figures out more of the NHL style game. Can't wait to see him do it. He's a smart player, so I'm expecting to see a nice path.

 

[IWillMakeTheNHL]

And there it is!

 

[FDBluth]

from bust to Gretzky confirmed.

 

[vildurson]

This kid can apparently play in this level despite horrible skating.

In all seriousness, pretty impressive first shifts today

 

[MichaelFarrell]

He’ll get 80 points this year with that skillset.

 

[deleted user]

Mmmmm. Love me some Bedard.

 

[Bubbles]

Congrats to Connor. Probably my last post on this thread, it's really taken a dive since he was drafted. I liked it better when it was the junior hockey watching crowd was commenting.

 

[Fraser28]

What a first period by Bedard. Simply dominant.

 

[jj cale]

What a first period by Bedard. Simply dominant.

Has he been that good?

 

[Mathieukferland]

Has he been that good?

Yeah, apart from one turnover early pretty present in all facets, offensive and defensive

 

[Fraser28]

Has he been that good?

Yup that was an amazing period. Nearly got a second goal, setup Korchinski on a 2-on-1, back checked hard, and was buzzing all over. Significantly better than yesterday (which was pretty good to begin with).

 

[jj cale]

Did you watch it? He was incredible. Nearly got a second goal, setup Korchinski on a 2-on-1, back checked hard, and was buzzing all over.

No, I've got different fish to fry tonight watching my Habs so I need you and yours to fill me in, thanks!!

 

[Fraser28]

No, I've got different fish to fry tonight watching my Habs so I need you and yours to fill me in, thanks!!

Got’cha. Fair enough man. Yup he was a major step up over yesterday.

 

[IWillMakeTheNHL]

Since the Blackhawks aren’t presumed to make the playoffs, could Bedard rejoin the Regina pats for the Whl playoffs after the Blackhawks season ends?

 

[Kcb12345]

He's gonna be an insane player offensively his whole career. No denying that

Reads the game extremely well and already plays at a higher pace than most current NHL players do.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Haters in shambles

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

That behind the back pass was clean, great sequence from Bedard.