Toggle sidebar

C Connor Bedard - Regina Pats, WHL (2023 Draft) Part 2

Status
Not open for further replies.
Bedard has 7 points in 9 games. Nothing to scoff at while playing most of the better teams in the WHL so far.
 
His points will come.

Let's not forget consistency is typically an issue with younger players at higher levels.
You see it all the time in college hockey - particularly with teams traditionally stacked with 18/19 y.o. 1st/2nd round picks (Michigan, BU, BC, etc.). These kids will put on a skill clinic one night, then look thoroughly lost and physically overmatched the next. Not that Bedard has looked poor recently, but expecting a 'generation performance' night in night out might be a bit much for him right now because, frankly, he's not the next Jagr, Crosby, Ovechkin or McDavid. I'd put him on a tier just below that. Same for Michkov.
But there's nothing wrong with this, it's all part of the development and maturation process.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: grentthealien, Pavel Buchnevich and The Moose is Loose
Hanji said:
His points will come.

Let's not forget consistency is typically an issue with younger players at higher levels.
You see it all the time in college hockey - particularly with teams traditionally stacked with 18/19 y.o. 1st/2nd round picks (Michigan, BU, BC, etc.). These kids will put on a skill clinic one night, then look thoroughly lost and physically overmatched the next. Not that Bedard has looked poor recently, but expecting a 'generation performance' night in night out might be a bit much for him right now because, frankly, he's not the next Jagr, Crosby, Ovechkin or McDavid. I'd put him on a tier just below that. Same for Michkov.
But there's nothing wrong with this, it's all part of the development and maturation process.
Click to expand...
Well said.
 
After 11 games this season :

Vs top teams : 5 games, 1+0 (0.20 ppg) and is -7
Vs bottom teams : 6 games, 5+4 (1.50 ppg) and is +1

Clearly some early season struggles for Conor Bedard.
 
GeorgeLeafer12 said:
After 11 games this season :

Vs top teams : 5 games, 1+0 (0.20 ppg) and is -7
Vs bottom teams : 6 games, 5+4 (1.50 ppg) and is +1

Clearly some early season struggles for Conor Bedard.
Click to expand...
From what I’ve noticed the second you start saying someone is struggling is when they start to light it up so get ready for some big Bedard nights folks!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sagikev and Bruhin
Bubbles said:
Looks like they moved him to the wing for this game. Still got 10 shots on net though.

Wish the Pats would get him some help. Other WHL teams are already arming up.
Click to expand...

Yeah but...i thought they had, they acquired three good players before the season and
two being really good ones; F Zach Stringer and D Stanislav Svozil

It was great start in the preseason, they had lots of chemistry, scored tons of points
they won games and it looked great, but something happened after that.
 
GeorgeLeafer12 said:
Yeah but...i thought they had, they acquired three good players before the season and
two being really good ones; F Zach Stringer and D Stanislav Svozil

It was great start in the preseason, they had lots of chemistry, scored tons of points
they won games and it looked great, but something happened after that.
Click to expand...


Maybe it's a deployment problem? He's stapled to Dubinsky and Nijihoff. I'd like to see him and Tanner Howe get paired up.
 
Bubbles said:
Maybe it's a deployment problem? He's stapled to Dubinsky and Nijihoff. I'd like to see him and Tanner Howe get paired up.
Click to expand...
THIS!! I usually avoid getting involved in threads on this site because it's mentally exhausting, but I get to watch Bedard on a regular basis now as a Pats season ticket holder.

My opinion, is Bedard and Dubinsky should not be on the same line. They are together simply because they are the two most talented forwards on the team. The way Dubinsky flies around the ice and can put on the blinders and try to do everything himself, while Bedard or another linemate (noticed it with Stringer earlier on) are open or in a far better position to make a move. Then to make it worse, they put the two of them between Nijhoff now, who in reality, is a great utility player who can do everything adequately. He too will try to do too much himself at times and rarely pays off. The biggest thing with them though is their IQ is not up to par with Bedard, and that's the problem for me.

As mentioned above, I would love to see Howe get more time with Bedard, as well. Sure, he doesn't even turn 16 for four more weeks, but he has proven to be one of the more skilled players on the team and has been getting far more ice time than the other 16 and 17 yearvolds and is now even getting good powerplay minutes. The biggest thing is his IQ though. He has the brains AND skills to play with Bedard. Perhaps the two of them and another trigger man like Stringer might work well?

Coaching isnt ideal either. Struch likes to work hard and dump and chase, and its usually pretty frustrating to watch. He also praises hard work and out working the other teams, even when its not paying off. Plus, the powerplay has been a problem for years. Terrible umbrella set up that anytime their opponent pressures them, it gives them trouble and is pretty easy to defend. And Bedard on the point mostly quarterbacking on them aswell. Would be far more effective down low. Also, seems to be dead set on playing mostly the veterans with the most experience instead of seeing what the rookies and younger players can do. Howe is the exception as he's pretty well forced them to play him more. Layton Feist is a top not defensive prospect who is easily good enough to be playing regular minutes. Because he's the youngest though, he gets sat for older, less skilled players. Frustrating.

Will also say, while Bedard hasn't been scoring, he's definitely been getting his chances. Seems another more skate bit than anything. Has had numerous great saves on him and has also missed the next on a number occasions as well. Lots of his shots are pretty low percentage areas, which I think is partially because he takes whatever chances he gets when playing with another puck controlling player in Dubinsky.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Deep Blue Metallic, wetcoast, BestPlayerAvailable and 4 others
Fight Guy said:
THIS!! I usually avoid getting involved in threads on this site because it's mentally exhausting, but I get to watch Bedard on a regular basis now as a Pats season ticket holder.

My opinion, is Bedard and Dubinsky should not be on the same line. They are together simply because they are the two most talented forwards on the team. The way Dubinsky flies around the ice and can put on the blinders and try to do everything himself, while Bedard or another linemate (noticed it with Stringer earlier on) are open or in a far better position to make a move. Then to make it worse, they put the two of them between Nijhoff now, who in reality, is a great utility player who can do everything adequately. He too will try to do too much himself at times and rarely pays off. The biggest thing with them though is their IQ is not up to par with Bedard, and that's the problem for me.

As mentioned above, I would love to see Howe get more time with Bedard, as well. Sure, he doesn't even turn 16 for four more weeks, but he has proven to be one of the more skilled players on the team and has been getting far more ice time than the other 16 and 17 yearvolds and is now even getting good powerplay minutes. The biggest thing is his IQ though. He has the brains AND skills to play with Bedard. Perhaps the two of them and another trigger man like Stringer might work well?

Coaching isnt ideal either. Struch likes to work hard and dump and chase, and its usually pretty frustrating to watch. He also praises hard work and out working the other teams, even when its not paying off. Plus, the powerplay has been a problem for years. Terrible umbrella set up that anytime their opponent pressures them, it gives them trouble and is pretty easy to defend. And Bedard on the point mostly quarterbacking on them aswell. Would be far more effective down low. Also, seems to be dead set on playing mostly the veterans with the most experience instead of seeing what the rookies and younger players can do. Howe is the exception as he's pretty well forced them to play him more. Layton Feist is a top not defensive prospect who is easily good enough to be playing regular minutes. Because he's the youngest though, he gets sat for older, less skilled players. Frustrating.

Will also say, while Bedard hasn't been scoring, he's definitely been getting his chances. Seems another more skate bit than anything. Has had numerous great saves on him and has also missed the next on a number occasions as well. Lots of his shots are pretty low percentage areas, which I think is partially because he takes whatever chances he gets when playing with another puck controlling player in Dubinsky.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the update and insight! Keep us updated on Bedard on here, it's nice to get some hands on views on him.

IS the Bedard being a winger a one off? As someone else said, he's taking less faceoffs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: I am toxic
He's kind of bounced back and forth a bit. When playing with Nijhoff, he has been on wing mostly I believe though. But I think the biggest thing is he needs his own line to center that he can be top guy on. Dubinsky is good enough and old enough by himself now that Bedard isn't the main thing driving his success. Has def helped at times, but Dubinsky has been super effective driving the net with his power and speed.

Again though, I think coaching is an issue all around as there seems to be very little progression from players who have looked promising but haven't taken a step. A majority of the forwards seem like thats been the issue. The coaching style doesn't promote as much development or creativity as it should and doesn't help cater to players skills and must be frustrating for some of the players. Hard work and winning puck races can only go so far.

Should also mention their zone entry is horrible to watch. Everyone skates in a line parallel to the blue line and one good poke check from the opposition, and the Pats are chasing the play back the other way. The hash tag #firestruch has come up often since the year Struch took over. Just not great hockey after being treated to Paddocks puck possesion style that was great fun to watch. Would think Brad Herauf, current assistant and former championship winning coach with the Pat Canadians. Would gladly welcome a promotion from him at this point.

Honestly, if things don't change much from now till into next season, and the Pats can only beat teams below or on par with them, wouldn't be shocked to see them have a disgruntled player.

I mean, if Kemell were to sign, that would probably help things a bit... Though I would think there is only the slimmest of chances of him seeing junior hockey in NA next season after being drafted. Or if Matthew Wood randomly decides college is stupid and were to sign as well. Fun to dream...
 
  • Like
Reactions: wetcoast and Bubbles
Fight Guy said:
I mean, if Kemell were to sign, that would probably help things a bit... Though I would think there is only the slimmest of chances of him seeing junior hockey in NA next season after being drafted. Or if Matthew Wood randomly decides college is stupid and were to sign as well. Fun to dream...
Click to expand...

Yeah they swung for the fences but Kemell's not going to sign. Wood *might* next year depending on how he destroys the BCHL but again that won't help Bedard this year anyways.
 
Fight Guy said:
THIS!! I usually avoid getting involved in threads on this site because it's mentally exhausting, but I get to watch Bedard on a regular basis now as a Pats season ticket holder.

My opinion, is Bedard and Dubinsky should not be on the same line. They are together simply because they are the two most talented forwards on the team. The way Dubinsky flies around the ice and can put on the blinders and try to do everything himself, while Bedard or another linemate (noticed it with Stringer earlier on) are open or in a far better position to make a move. Then to make it worse, they put the two of them between Nijhoff now, who in reality, is a great utility player who can do everything adequately. He too will try to do too much himself at times and rarely pays off. The biggest thing with them though is their IQ is not up to par with Bedard, and that's the problem for me.

As mentioned above, I would love to see Howe get more time with Bedard, as well. Sure, he doesn't even turn 16 for four more weeks, but he has proven to be one of the more skilled players on the team and has been getting far more ice time than the other 16 and 17 yearvolds and is now even getting good powerplay minutes. The biggest thing is his IQ though. He has the brains AND skills to play with Bedard. Perhaps the two of them and another trigger man like Stringer might work well?

Coaching isnt ideal either. Struch likes to work hard and dump and chase, and its usually pretty frustrating to watch. He also praises hard work and out working the other teams, even when its not paying off. Plus, the powerplay has been a problem for years. Terrible umbrella set up that anytime their opponent pressures them, it gives them trouble and is pretty easy to defend. And Bedard on the point mostly quarterbacking on them aswell. Would be far more effective down low. Also, seems to be dead set on playing mostly the veterans with the most experience instead of seeing what the rookies and younger players can do. Howe is the exception as he's pretty well forced them to play him more. Layton Feist is a top not defensive prospect who is easily good enough to be playing regular minutes. Because he's the youngest though, he gets sat for older, less skilled players. Frustrating.

Will also say, while Bedard hasn't been scoring, he's definitely been getting his chances. Seems another more skate bit than anything. Has had numerous great saves on him and has also missed the next on a number occasions as well. Lots of his shots are pretty low percentage areas, which I think is partially because he takes whatever chances he gets when playing with another puck controlling player in Dubinsky.
Click to expand...

If your posts are always so full of really nice analysis, you should definately post more, thanks a lot!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bubbles
Generational players score no matter what. If Bedard is considered to be a generational player/talent, he needs to start producing. There is only little room for "cold streaks" and "adjustment periods" for players for thus caliber.

Mcdavid draft year -1= 99points in 56
Sid daft year -1= 135points in 59.

That is the "standard" we are looking for. Its harsh, but its also a reason why there isnt and shouldnt be many players in certain timeframe with generational player status. Lets see if Bedard can get to that level. I hope he will!
 
  • Like
Reactions: I am toxic, Ippenator and alko
Like I said, he seems snake bitten right now and is likely the biggest lack of scoring he has experienced and the most adversity aswell. In my opinion, he's going to figure it out and start putting up 2 - 3 points a game again. But it defintely needs to happen. Its just a matter of burrying his many, many chances.

One of his 10 shots last game...



Also... I honestly don't expect either of Kemell or Wood to see a Pats uniform with their current paths. If Wood really wants college, then no chance. For Kemell, the slim chance I feel there is is if he can't transition smoothly to the NA game and get assigned to junior for the year, but really, that's going to be pretty unlikely I'd think.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dominance, Bubbles and grentthealien
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Top Bottom