C Connor Bedard - Regina Pats, WHL (2023 Draft) Part 3

[Boss Man Hughes]

When is the Hlinka-Gretzky Tournament? I know it's not officially sanctioned by the IIHF, but it is the best representation of U-18 because it's after the CHL Playoffs. So that mean Bedard could potentially play in three tournaments this Spring/Summer right?

1st week of August. WJC starts mid August.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

When is the Hlinka-Gretzky Tournament? I know it's not officially sanctioned by the IIHF, but it is the best representation of U-18 because it's after the CHL Playoffs. So that mean Bedard could potentially play in three tournaments this Spring/Summer right?

I would assume he will sit out the Hlinka with being an obvious lock for the U20 team.

 

[bsu]

 

[Gold Standard]

Yeah, I don't expect him to play every tournament between now and Christmas. So, he should take a hard pass on Hlinka. IIHF U18, U20 in August and U20 at Christmas are more than enough reps for the young phenom.

 

[alko]

Could he play for Canada on senior WCH?

 

[Gold Standard]

Could he play for Canada on senior WCH?

He could, theoretically... I suppose. No chance Canada dresses a 16 year old at the senior WHC. I'd say it's only 50/50 that they bring next year as a 17 year old. But we shall see.

 

[Dust]

It's pretty rare for even a 19 or 20 year old junior player to suit up for the Men's worlds. I remember Eberle did it after his monster season, but he was also 19 at the time.

 

[lucaseider]

wow, he looks good in canadas first u18 game today, his goal was kinda filthy.

 

[montreal]

 

[Mr Buckles]

He had a nice assist too:

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Bedard has a better shot than McDavid did and will be a better scorer

 

[BoundinGold]

Bedard has a better shot than McDavid did and will be a better scorer

How does his speed compare?

 

[Mathieukferland]

How does his speed compare?

No one has (perhaps will ever have) the alien speed of McDavid, but I would say his skating, particularly acceleration, is comparable to that of a Ehlers or Duchene level skater

 

[TGWL]

Bedard has a better shot than McDavid did and will be a better scorer

To be fair, McDavid worked on his shot after being drafted. He made it a point in the off-season training to get his shot better. McDavid's shot when he was drafted was not what lead to him going 1st overall.

Had McDavid's current shot been this accurate/good in juniors, he most likely would have been scoring goals at a higher pace.

 

[ijuka]

No one has (perhaps will ever have) the alien speed of McDavid, but I would say his skating, particularly acceleration, is comparable to that of a Ehlers or Duchene level skater

Uhh, just how fast do you think McDavid is? Really, he's a great skater and the best skater in NHL but his skating still somehow is overrated. Take prime Ovechkin for example, that's one great skater. Pavel Bure? Now, he actually was faster than McDavid, I guarantee.

Anyway, Bedard does have a better shot than McDavid, that's true. Also better natural goalscoring instincts. Does not have McDavid's skating, hands, or playmaking. But no one else does either.

The expectation is a 50+50-type player.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Uhh, just how fast do you think McDavid is? Really, he's a great skater and the best skater in NHL but his skating still somehow is overrated. Take prime Ovechkin for example, that's one great skater. Pavel Bure? Now, he actually was faster than McDavid, I guarantee.

Anyway, Bedard does have a better shot than McDavid, that's true. Also better natural goalscoring instincts. Does not have McDavid's skating, hands, or playmaking. But no one else does either.

The expectation is a 50+50-type player.

With regards to the first point, speed with the puck is what McDavid extraterrestrial; and yes I would agree with that assessment of the player comparison

 

[crosbyshow]

I have never seen a 16 years old shooting the puck like Bedard.
I have seen Kessel , Caufield,.ovy.and Matthews at 16.

They had a bomb of a wrist shot..but Bedard..jeez..

 

[Bubbles]

Hat trick today (I think they took away an assist today)

Also saw one of his rare one-timers/slapshot. Looks pretty solid. If he can add that to his arsenal, well look out.

And you can see his play level just gets better when paired with better talent. Fantilli and him were electric.

 

[montreal]

 

[Le Golie]

We’re fortunate to see a talent like this.

 

[Dust]

Uhh, just how fast do you think McDavid is? Really, he's a great skater and the best skater in NHL but his skating still somehow is overrated. Take prime Ovechkin for example, that's one great skater. Pavel Bure? Now, he actually was faster than McDavid, I guarantee.

Anyway, Bedard does have a better shot than McDavid, that's true. Also better natural goalscoring instincts. Does not have McDavid's skating, hands, or playmaking. But no one else does either.

The expectation is a 50+50-type player.

I'm not so sure about that. Bure himself has said that he believes McDavid is faster than he was. We'll never truly know unfortunately.

 

[57special]

Uhh, just how fast do you think McDavid is? Really, he's a great skater and the best skater in NHL but his skating still somehow is overrated. Take prime Ovechkin for example, that's one great skater. Pavel Bure? Now, he actually was faster than McDavid, I guarantee.

Anyway, Bedard does have a better shot than McDavid, that's true. Also better natural goalscoring instincts. Does not have McDavid's skating, hands, or playmaking. But no one else does either.

The expectation is a 50+50-type player.

Heh?

 

[ijuka]

Heh?

McDavid's main strength with skating's always been agility, and his ability to change pace, quick rhythm changes and such. Pure straightline skating race? I really don't think he'd be on the level of prime Ovechkin at that. Or Bure. In terms of speed, I indeed think McDavid's way overrated. Best agility and explosiveness in the league and the best skater overall, yes, but there have been faster skaters.

For example Miles Wood at 0:17 in this vid, see from a standstill:

 

[57special]

McDavid's main strength with skating's always been agility, and his ability to change pace, quick rhythm changes and such. Pure straightline skating race? I really don't think he'd be on the level of prime Ovechkin at that. Or Bure. In terms of speed, I indeed think McDavid's way overrated. Best agility and explosiveness in the league and the best skater overall, yes, but there have been faster skaters.

For example Miles Wood at 0:17 in this vid, see from a standstill:

 

[BoundinGold]

Not to be that guy, but awhile back I asked about Bedard wearing #98. I wonder if the Team Canada Coaches told him he couldn't wear that number for the U18.