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

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Probably the wrong time to say it but Matthews was clearly a better prospect imo. I would prefer Eichel too. Guess I’m not nearly as high on Bedard as some (most?) are here.

Don't forget either that Dahlin was more hyped than any of them.

People just don't account for him in this discussion because he's a defenseman, but remember threads on this website where it was debated that draft season Dahlin was viewed as better than draft season Matthews, Eichel, Hughes, and Lafreniere.

I think Bedard is pretty equal to Hughes as a prospect. A little different, but it's the same basic profile. Small scoring forward who you know will score a lot in the NHL, but there are questions that come with the 5'9/5'10 listing that extend to if they can play center in the NHL.

There were none of those questions about Matthews and Eichel, even if they weren't viewed as the same level of offensive dynamos.

I also think Lafreniere was pretty commonly viewed as higher than Hughes. It wasn't a big gap, but Lafreniere was viewed as a do it all winger that would end up being one of the best wingers in the NHL. He accomplished almost everything one could pre-draft between stats and accolades. I would say the closest comparable for Bedard in terms of pre-draft stature is Lafreniere.

Seeing as at least until 2026 there is no super prospect, he is probably the generational player after Crosby and McDavid

It doesn't work like that. There can be two generational prospects in a draft or there could be none for 10 years. You don't need to anoint someone every 10 years. Anoint them when they come along.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

If you watch him play it doesn't matter much like watching Gretzky who looked scrawny on the ice as a prospect and just produced.

I think this is the wrong comparison.

Gretzky physically is more like McDavid. McDavid is 6'1 193, according to the NHL website. Gretzky was listed by wikipedia as 6'0 185. McDavid had some problems early in his career with being scrawny. He was physically pushed around because he was weak.

Bedard is listed as 5'9 181. He's not lanky or needing to bulk up. 181 for a 5'9 player is pretty bulked up, unless it's fat as opposed to muscle.

Bedard is built differently than Gretzky. He could be physically pushed around, but if wouldn't be because he's physically needing to put on many more pounds.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

To be honest I think Caufield has a better shot than Bedard, release wise. Bedard can absolutely wire the puck, but he has to really lean into it. I wouldn’t describe Bedard as having an insanely good release, but it does pop off his stick really well. He gets a bit too many of his shots blocked or deflected as he does need some time and space to let it go. Caufield has a bit more of a versatile release. I know this won’t be popular since the hype around Bedard is out of this world, but I think him and Caufield will have similar careers. Bedard is better but I don’t think it’s a huge gap. Caufield was also a phenom at the NTDP and just got overshadowed a bit by Hughes when it came to overall hype. I don’t think Bedard is an elite passer or playmaker, skating is fine but not dynamic, isn’t a very good 200 foot player, although I’m sure he’ll improve upon that. But outside of his wicked shot, I don’t see much to his game that scream sure fire top 5 NHL player. Although I do expect him to be a routine 40 goal scorer or more year in year out once he’s established in the league

The Caufield comparison doesn't make much sense to me. Don't know where it came from.

I think they score their goals differently. Caufield scores a lot by being excellent at finding open space and using a very quick release. He doesn't shoot it nearly as hard as some of the best goal scoring forwards in the NHL. Caufield is absolutely not the type you line up in the right circle and let him rip the puck. It's going to be stopped if thats your plan.

Bedard has one of the hardest shots around. His shooting power is similar to Stamkos. He doesn't float around and find open space. He's a player who carries the puck, goes 1v1, and shoots. He's a lot more flashy with how he scores his goals than Caufield. Outside of the Montreal hype and his personality, Caufield is a very unflashy type of player. Doesn't skate particularly well, doesn't have high-end playmaking, doesn't hold onto the puck for long amounts of time, and doesn't have a huge shot.

Bedard is a very flashy type of player. Better skater, better puck skills, shoots it harder, better playmaker, holds the puck more, and more of a 1v1 goal scorer. If we were to compare anyone's goal scoring to Caufield, it'd be Michkov. There are some similarities between how they score their goals. I don't think Bedard is that comparable either to Matthews with his goal-scoring. I know he says that he watches Matthews goals, but so do all of us. Watching his goals doesn't mean it's replicable for what Bedard's skillset is. I've said many times before that the 2023 prospect whose goalscoring reminds me of Matthews type of goal-scoring is Michkov. I think they have similar elite level releases and sense around the net. Michkov reminds me of a cross between Kucherov's hockey sense/physical profile with Matthews goal-scoring. Bedard is more of a shot power and 1v1 goal scorer. I would say his best comparable is a cross between Stamkos goal-scoring and Hughes physical profile for a highly skilled offensive center.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

??? Jack Hughes is one the best skaters in the world and his shot is decent while Bedard is an above-average skater with an amazing shot.

Who are you going to compare him to then? There is exactly one top 6 center in the NHL shorter than 5'10, and that player plays for an expansion team. There are probably another 2-3 who are 5'10. Hughes is 5'10. He's probably the only player playing center shorter than 5'11 that wouldn't be an insult and pretty inaccurate to use as a comparison.

There are differences in how they play the game. I agree about that, but their ability to hold up at center in the NHL isn't too different in comparing them. Bedard is built stockier, while Hughes is listed as an inch or two taller and is the better skater.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Don't forget either that Dahlin was more hyped than any of them.

People just don't account for him in this discussion because he's a defenseman, but remember threads on this website where it was debated that draft season Dahlin was viewed as better than draft season Matthews, Eichel, Hughes, and Lafreniere.

I think Bedard is pretty equal to Hughes as a prospect. A little different, but it's the same basic profile. Small scoring forward who you know will score a lot in the NHL, but there are questions that come with the 5'9/5'10 listing that extend to if they can play center in the NHL.

There were none of those questions about Matthews and Eichel, even if they weren't viewed as the same level of offensive dynamos.

I also think Lafreniere was pretty commonly viewed as higher than Hughes. It wasn't a big gap, but Lafreniere was viewed as a do it all winger that would end up being one of the best wingers in the NHL. He accomplished almost everything one could pre-draft between stats and accolades. I would say the closest comparable for Bedard in terms of pre-draft stature is Lafreniere.


It doesn't work like that. There can be two generational prospects in a draft or there could be none for 10 years. You don't need to anoint someone every 10 years. Anoint them when they come along.

The term generational derives from “once in a generation”, hence why there can only describe one play in generation as that (I will agree with you though that there can be a period of time without a generational player, the 90s didn’t really produce one after Lindros failed to meet expectations). That’s why, though excellent franchise level players, no one would describe Malkin, Matthews, MacKinnon, or Ovechkin as generational, currently only Crosby and McDavid are. With regards to Bédard, I view his production as inline with generational players, but I don’t think he will be a generational player in the NHL based in his skillset, even if he is outproducing Crosby and McDavid internationally at the same age

 

[Peasy]

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.

I would say it was the opposite. A lot more people passed on this tourney due to the timing and how close it is to NHL camps (not just for team Canada but other nations as well). When theres a lockout you're pretty much getting everyone you can.

 

[Future]

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.

My point earlier was that guys like Mackinnon, McDavid, Matthews, and Makar have developed into the best players in the NHL in large part due to their tools that are unlike any other player in the league. I don’t see those same traits in Bedard.

McDavid for example was always an extremely special and unique skater and he always possessed the ability to make the most special of plays at the highest of speeds. Mackinnon’s skating and power combination is unmatched by any other player and those traits have made him into the top player that he is. Etc.

In comparison, while Bedard’s shot is special and his best trait, I don’t think it’ll be top 5 in the league. Could he improve and develop his skillset, for sure. But I’m not sure I see a top 5 player in him (which is fine).

 

[molotce]

The Caufield comparison doesn't make much sense to me. Don't know where it came from.

I think they score their goals differently. Caufield scores a lot by being excellent at finding open space and using a very quick release. He doesn't shoot it nearly as hard as some of the best goal scoring forwards in the NHL. Caufield is absolutely not the type you line up in the right circle and let him rip the puck. It's going to be stopped if thats your plan.

Bedard has one of the hardest shots around. His shooting power is similar to Stamkos. He doesn't float around and find open space. He's a player who carries the puck, goes 1v1, and shoots. He's a lot more flashy with how he scores his goals than Caufield. Outside of the Montreal hype and his personality, Caufield is a very unflashy type of player. Doesn't skate particularly well, doesn't have high-end playmaking, doesn't hold onto the puck for long amounts of time, and doesn't have a huge shot.

Bedard is a very flashy type of player. Better skater, better puck skills, shoots it harder, better playmaker, holds the puck more, and more of a 1v1 goal scorer. If we were to compare anyone's goal scoring to Caufield, it'd be Michkov. There are some similarities between how they score their goals. I don't think Bedard is that comparable either to Matthews with his goal-scoring. I know he says that he watches Matthews goals, but so do all of us. Watching his goals doesn't mean it's replicable for what Bedard's skillset is. I've said many times before that the 2023 prospect whose goalscoring reminds me of Matthews type of goal-scoring is Michkov. I think they have similar elite level releases and sense around the net. Michkov reminds me of a cross between Kucherov's hockey sense/physical profile with Matthews goal-scoring. Bedard is more of a shot power and 1v1 goal scorer. I would say his best comparable is a cross between Stamkos goal-scoring and Hughes physical profile for a highly skilled offensive center.

''Caufield Doesn't skate particularly well'' I feel his skating took a step up (more so in straight line) in the last year compared to his DY, I'd say he has to at least be considered a good skater now (semantics but its something I personnaly thought while watching him)

I see what you mean though and I feel Bedard's game is probably more suited to wing (my opinion) because of size, it frees up some defensive duty and I feel he's really good at coming at defender and being a menace from almost anywhere in the O-zone with his shot.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

The term generational derives from “once in a generation”, hence why there can only describe one play in generation as that (I will agree with you though that there can be a period of time without a generational player, the 90s didn’t really produce one after Lindros failed to meet expectations). That’s why, though excellent franchise level players, no one would describe Malkin, Matthews, MacKinnon, or Ovechkin as generational, currently only Crosby and McDavid are. With regards to Bédard, I view his production as inline with generational players, but I don’t think he will be a generational player in the NHL based in his skillset, even if he is outproducing Crosby and McDavid internationally at the same age

If Ovechkin isnt generational it's because he's a once in a lifetime talent....

 

[BruinsBtn]

One question I have about this guy is: Can he really play center in the NHL? At 5-foot-9 and with a 70-flex stick? That's a tough recipe for winning puck battles.

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

My point earlier was that guys like Mackinnon, McDavid, Matthews, and Makar have developed into the best players in the NHL in large part due to their tools that are unlike any other player in the league. I don’t see those same traits in Bedard.

McDavid for example was always an extremely special and unique skater and he always possessed the ability to make the most special of plays at the highest of speeds. Mackinnon’s skating and power combination is unmatched by any other player and those traits have made him into the top player that he is. Etc.

In comparison, while Bedard’s shot is special and his best trait, I don’t think it’ll be top 5 in the league. Could he improve and develop his skillset, for sure. But I’m not sure I see a top 5 player in him (which is fine).

I watched all of these players except for Makar (although I've gone back and watched highlights) at 16/17 and I think there's some revisionist history here. I think the shot that Bedard has at his age is absolutely incredible and has the potential to be best in the league. The potential of the tools of those players wasn't any more apparent than Bedard's.

 

[Quinning]

Man, he's going to absolutely demolish the 22' Winter WJC.

 

[bsu]

 

[Future]

I watched all of these players except for Makar (although I've gone back and watched highlights) at 16/17 and I think there's some revisionist history here. I think the shot that Bedard has at his age is absolutely incredible and has the potential to be best in the league. The potential of the tools of those players wasn't any more apparent than Bedard's.

Certainly disagree. It may be an incredible shot, but comparing it to Matthews and Laine… it’s not particularly close. That said, those two are probably the two best pure shooters in the NHL right now alongside Ovechkin and Stamkos.

 

[Gold Standard]

Man, he's going to absolutely demolish the 22' Winter WJC.

The winter '22 WJHC was just completed. What is coming is the 2023 WJHC. And as good as he is, I don't think he will demolish it. I'm hoping he does well, he should do well, but demolish? I don't think so. 17 year olds generally don't demolish U20 tournaments. McDavid scored 11 pts 3 goals in his second tournament. and he was one month short of his 18th. B-day. Bedard is younger. So, my expectation is somewhere around there. 11-15 pts. I wouldn't classify that as demolishing.

 

[teravaineSAROS]

Certainly disagree. It may be an incredible shot, but comparing it to Matthews and Laine… it’s not particularly close. That said, those two are probably the two best pure shooters in the NHL right now alongside Ovechkin and Stamkos.

In terms of shooting Bedard is basically trying to copy-paste Matthews, a significantly bigger player with a longer reach. At this stage I don't see how his shot is supposed to surpass him.

I decided to look at videos of pre-draft Laine aswell and Laine's shot arsenal impressed me a lot more.

Bedard's been great no question about that. I don't doubt he'll be a #1 worthy pick. I personally just don't see how his shot is supposedly generational. He needs to work on his play away from the puck but he has plenty of time for that.

 

[golffuul]

In terms of shooting Bedard is basically trying to copy-paste Matthews, a significantly bigger player with a longer reach. At this stage I don't see how his shot is supposed to surpass him.

I decided to look at videos of pre-draft Laine aswell and Laine's shot arsenal impressed me a lot more.

Bedard's been great no question about that. I don't doubt he'll be a #1 worthy pick. I personally just don't see how his shot is supposedly generational. He needs to work on his play away from the puck but he has plenty of time for that.

Yeah...his shot is ++ for sure. But his skating isn't super great, yet, and I wouldn't rate his IQ as being really high, either. Granted I've only seen him play in IIHF formats, but I thought that this WJC exposed him as not being able to play as well against players that are a year older, which, he will almost always be in that position for the next 10 years or more.

But I agree...if he can figure out his way around the ice and not get himself stuck trying to play a more perimeter game, he should be ok. I also worry that he will get a lot of slashes from NHL players and that could hurt his release since he relies a lot on his arms to generate the high level of torque that he does. A few slashes to the wrist and forearms could have some serious injury potential for him. But he should get stronger as he gets older, so hopefully that won't occur. I will say that this WJC didn't really sell me on him as a generational player.

 

[Mercedes Benn]

Yeah...his shot is ++ for sure. But his skating isn't super great, yet, and I wouldn't rate his IQ as being really high, either. Granted I've only seen him play in IIHF formats, but I thought that this WJC exposed him as not being able to play as well against players that are a year older, which, he will almost always be in that position for the next 10 years or more.

But I agree...if he can figure out his way around the ice and not get himself stuck trying to play a more perimeter game, he should be ok. I also worry that he will get a lot of slashes from NHL players and that could hurt his release since he relies a lot on his arms to generate the high level of torque that he does. A few slashes to the wrist and forearms could have some serious injury potential for him. But he should get stronger as he gets older, so hopefully that won't occur. I will say that this WJC didn't really sell me on him as a generational player.

8 pts in 7 games exposed him? Lol. So he’s not going to be able to keep up in the NHL until he is 27? This post doesn’t make any sense. He had 50 goals in the WHL as a 16 year old playing against 19-20 year olds every night. He has definitely proved that he can play, and dominate, against older, bigger competition.

 

[Belloco]

I don't think he's a generational talent (the No. 1 of his decade of birth).

In my mind, it's a talent equivalent to Jack Hughes.

 

[kevsh]

He has definitely proved that he can play, and dominate, against older, bigger competition.

While I agree with most of your post, his ability to score against bigger teenagers doesn't not automatically mean he'll be able to do it against bigger men.

From what I've seen, I'm guessing he won't come out of the gate like a McDavid, Crosby or Lemieux and arguably be considered one of the best players in the league in his rookie season (though those 3 there was no 'arguably'), but by season 3 or so, I expect he'll be among the league scoring leaders, even if not considered a top 5 or so player overall.

Somewhat similar to Marner's progression, though as a playmaker rather than sniper.

 

[Half Clapper]

While I agree with most of your post, his ability to score against bigger teenagers doesn't not automatically mean he'll be able to do it against bigger men.

From what I've seen, I'm guessing he won't come out of the gate like a McDavid, Crosby or Lemieux and arguably be considered one of the best players in the league in his rookie season (though those 3 there was no 'arguably'), but by season 3 or so, I expect he'll be among the league scoring leaders, even if not considered a top 5 or so player overall.

Somewhat similar to Marner's progression, though as a playmaker rather than sniper.

The kid has tree trunks for legs dude. This isn't your typical 17 year old. He is a thick kid already and I am highly confident he will be able to play in the NHL at 18 years old.

 

[Kennerback]

8 pts in 7 games exposed him? Lol. So he’s not going to be able to keep up in the NHL until he is 27? This post doesn’t make any sense. He had 50 goals in the WHL as a 16 year old playing against 19-20 year olds every night. He has definitely proved that he can play, and dominate, against older, bigger competition.

What he needs to do to shut people up is to destroy the WHL and the WJC in December. If he doesn’t, there’s always going to be …yeah he’s great but he’s a 5’9” Center.

 

[Mercedes Benn]

What he needs to do to shut people up is to destroy the WHL and the WJC in December. If he doesn’t, there’s always going to be …yeah he’s great but he’s a 5’9” Center.

I completely agree. My opinion is at this point he has lived up to all the hype, but that doesn’t mean much if he slows down or doesn’t progress much this year. It will be an exciting year in the WHL this year.

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

I don't think he's a generational talent (the No. 1 of his decade of birth).

In my mind, it's a talent equivalent to Jack Hughes.

Still have to wait around a year to figure out his talent.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Yeah...his shot is ++ for sure. But his skating isn't super great, yet, and I wouldn't rate his IQ as being really high, either. Granted I've only seen him play in IIHF formats, but I thought that this WJC exposed him as not being able to play as well against players that are a year older, which, he will almost always be in that position for the next 10 years or more.

But I agree...if he can figure out his way around the ice and not get himself stuck trying to play a more perimeter game, he should be ok. I also worry that he will get a lot of slashes from NHL players and that could hurt his release since he relies a lot on his arms to generate the high level of torque that he does. A few slashes to the wrist and forearms could have some serious injury potential for him. But he should get stronger as he gets older, so hopefully that won't occur. I will say that this WJC didn't really sell me on him as a generational player.

Huh? His double underage season at the WJC was better than anything we’ve seen recently from… anyone? Most of the stars didn’t even play this young.

He was also one of canadas top two players at the U18 two years ago when he was only 15.