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

[Peasy]

Great showing at the wjc especially for his age.

From what I've seen I think he's still not at a mcdavid level prospect. Looking forward to see what he can do his draft year.

 

[wetcoast]

Same age as Bedard he scored 44 goals in 40 games in the USDP program, and scored 72 goals in 64 games his draft year…

My bad I screwed up the backwards age line on elite prospects but I'm sure Bedard would also have much better stats playing with guys like Hughes and Zegras against lesser competition as well.

 

[Arhidia]

All thats left for him to get is
Maturity

 

[Bankerguy]

does not look like Jack Hughes out there.
I dont mind the Stamkos comparison (in terms of style)
If you think back to when Stamkos was 22, (his 97 point season), he's kind of resembles him but not as explosive yet more agile and tricky with the puck.

 

[SlafySZN]

My bad I screwed up the backwards age line on elite prospects but I'm sure Bedard would also have much better stats playing with guys like Hughes and Zegras against lesser competition as well.

Not so sure that NCAA is lesser competition.

 

[wetcoast]

Not so sure that NCAA is lesser competition.

lots of non NCAA games there

Game Schedule - 2018-19 Regular Season - U.S. National Under-18 Team

www.usahockeyntdp.com

Also played with an elite team so less focus on him.

 

[Kshahdoo]

View attachment 578355
A bit of stat cherry-picking but interesting nonetheless, if you take Bédard’s last 7 games at the WJC for a d-1 (the length of a full tournament), he’s out scoring everyone not named Wayne Gretzky

Where is Poolparty and his 17 points in 7 games?

 

[Silkytentacles]

Bedard will be a lot better than Hughes. Not a good comparison.

Lol a lot better? No, I don’t think you realize how good Jack Hughes is and still yet to become

He didn’t look to explosive with his skating but when he did have the puck he was good with it. Everything about his shot was great just wish he got to better high danger areas in 3 on 3 instead of trying to beat the goalie with some distance on both of those. Can’t wait to see him do more in December

 

[Mathieukferland]

Where is Poolparty and his 17 points in 7 games?

That was his draft year, not d-1

 

[Kshahdoo]

That was his draft year, not d-1

Yeah technically that was but realistically this WJC was played 8 months later than it had to...

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Lol a lot better? No, I don’t think you realize how good Jack Hughes is and still yet to become

He didn’t look to explosive with his skating but when he did have the puck he was good with it. Everything about his shot was great just wish he got to better high danger areas in 3 on 3 instead of trying to beat the goalie with some distance on both of those. Can’t wait to see him do more in December

I think Jack was hampered by the unwritten rule that 1OA picks must immediately play in the NHL. Iirc he was the 1st NTDP player to go straight to the NHL. A year of NCAA play would have been enormously beneficial. Regardless, he's on the verge of superstardom now.

Cameron's (mis)use of Bedard was ridiculous. Bumper in the PP and mostly bottom-6 minutes for arguably the best prospect since Matthews is criminal, even for a 17 year-old.

Looking forward to seeing Bedard in December too, with a coach who utilizes him properly. It's pretty much a given he'll destroy the WHL. That shot and release is just absurdly good.

 

[GM Armchair]

Lol a lot better? No, I don’t think you realize how good Jack Hughes is and still yet to become

He didn’t look to explosive with his skating but when he did have the puck he was good with it. Everything about his shot was great just wish he got to better high danger areas in 3 on 3 instead of trying to beat the goalie with some distance on both of those. Can’t wait to see him do more in December

Yes I think a lot better, but I’m also a believer that Hughes is over hyped. You can believe that he will be close to Bedards skill level but I believe it won’t be close.

 

[Silkytentacles]

Yes I think a lot better, but I’m also a believer that Hughes is over hyped. You can believe that he will be close to Bedards skill level but I believe it won’t be close.

Hughes has better hands and skating I don’t think he will be a lot better. They will both be top end stars in this league

 

[Ippenator]

Yeah technically that was but realistically this WJC was played 8 months later than it had to...

It was still the same to all the players in this tournament, so I don’t think it makes anything necessarily easier for them, as the competition is also a few months older.

 

[Future]

Best prospect since Matthews/McDavid but I don’t think he’s on that level. Next tier below IMO because I don’t think his tools compare well. Tools matter a lot at the highest level. What can you do at a level that no one else can? Look at Mackinnon and Makar and their skating, for example.

His best quality is his shot, but I’m not so sure it would even be top 5 in the NHL.

 

[silkyjohnson50]

Best prospect since Matthews/McDavid but I don’t think he’s on that level. Next tier below IMO because I don’t think his tools compare well. Tools matter a lot at the highest level. What can you do at a level that no one else can? Look at Mackinnon and Makar and their skating, for example.

His best quality is his shot, but I’m not so sure it would even be top 5 in the NHL.

Matthews/McDavid isn’t a level either.

 

[Future]

Matthews/McDavid isn’t a level either.

Hart/Lindsay/Richard/Art Ross trophy winner isn’t considered a level while discussing individual players’ potential? Especially in the context of how Bedard compares to recent first overall picks?

Does everything have to be a dick measuring contest?

 

[Kennerback]

Best prospect since Matthews/McDavid but I don’t think he’s on that level. Next tier below IMO because I don’t think his tools compare well. Tools matter a lot at the highest level. What can you do at a level that no one else can? Look at Mackinnon and Makar and their skating, for example.

His best quality is his shot, but I’m not so sure it would even be top 5 in the NHL.

Bedard’s elite asset is his shot. The rest of his tools are excellent, but I’d still take Matthews, McDavid and Makar over Bedard right now because I know exactly what I have. There’s an element of unknown/projection no matter how good he looks right now. And even if he does indeed hit his ceiling, how much more could he help my team to win a cup than Matthews, McDavid and Makar?

 

[Bubbles]

Do people have bad memories or are they just confusing a prospect hype and what a player becomes? Mackinnon, Matthews and Makar (whoa MMM) were never considered generational before arriving in the NHL. The fact that they have become excellent players is a great achievement for them.

McDavid's final CHL season really cemented his generational status, and it remains to be seen if Bedard's upcoming season will reflect it.

My god I hate using the word "generational". Everyone has a different definition so the word is essentially meaningless.

 

[SlafySZN]

Bedard’s elite asset is his shot. The rest of his tools are excellent, but I’d still take Matthews, McDavid and Makar over Bedard right now because I know exactly what I have. There’s an element of unknown/projection no matter how good he looks right now. And even if he does indeed hit his ceiling, how much more could he help my team to win a cup than Matthews, McDavid and Makar?

Taking less money once he hit his prime so a team can be build around him lol.

 

[silkyjohnson50]

Hart/Lindsay/Richard/Art Ross trophy winner isn’t considered a level while discussing individual players’ potential? Especially in the context of how Bedard compares to recent first overall picks?

Does everything have to be a dick measuring contest?

Not when comparing it to McDavid, no. Not as a player and not as a prospect, which is what we’re talking about when discussing Bedard.

Matthews was a great prospect. A #1 most years. McDavid was the once every decade prospect. You’d have to go back to Crosby before McDavid wasn’t the unanimous #1 pick.

Matthews was not that level prospect and he’s not that level of player. McDavid is off to a historical start to his career that only a few guys compare to or better statistically speaking and Matthews is certainly not one of them. And one subjective Hart trophy - especially when McDavid comfortably outscored him and then went on to have a historic postseason performance - doesn’t change that. There’s a reason why Matthews - and a handful of other guys - are in the conversation for 2nd best player in the NHL.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Best prospect since Matthews/McDavid but I don’t think he’s on that level. Next tier below IMO because I don’t think his tools compare well. Tools matter a lot at the highest level. What can you do at a level that no one else can? Look at Mackinnon and Makar and their skating, for example.

His best quality is his shot, but I’m not so sure it would even be top 5 in the NHL.

McDavid is the generational player of his generation (2010s), that’s the tier, he’s one of one. Matthews/MacKinnon occupy the next one, which is more where I see Bédard. I don’t think Bédard will be generational, but his production is certainly generational to this point as a prospect , but that doesn’t always translate to the NHL, especially for a smaller player

 

[WeThreeKings]

Best prospect since Matthews/McDavid but I don’t think he’s on that level. Next tier below IMO because I don’t think his tools compare well. Tools matter a lot at the highest level. What can you do at a level that no one else can? Look at Mackinnon and Makar and their skating, for example.

His best quality is his shot, but I’m not so sure it would even be top 5 in the NHL.

Yeah it's top 5 in the NHL.. and even if it -isn't-, its literally the best draft eligible shot we've ever seen so its completely reasonable to project it in the top 3 of the NHL.

 

[GM Armchair]

Hughes has better hands and skating I don’t think he will be a lot better. They will both be top end stars in this league

Better hands and skating currently or are we comparing them at 17 yrs old?

 

[waitin425]

Technically this is his D-2 WJHC. He will dominate the Christmas tournament in his D-1 tournament.

For comparisons we should look at the 2005 team where Crosby in his draft year was 4th in scoring behind Bergeron, Getz and Carter. I know that was a special team because of a lockout....but this team was similar with McTavish, Johnson et al.

Sure...Bedard didn't dominate....so what. He just turned 17.