C Connor Bedard - Regina Pats, WHL (2023 Draft) Part 4

[nbwingsfan]

Name one player who has had a better draft year.

I’m not saying he’s going to be the best player ever but what he’s doing is historic.

Crosby hands down. His stats for a 16/17yo were mind boggling

 

[Fraser28]

Eichel and Matthews both had similar NHLe production in their draft years while both being much bigger.

People are putting waaay too much stock into his (incredibly impressive) WJC production.

Well I guess you might as well just double down on your bad take.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Well I guess you might as well just double down on your bad take.

What part of my post do you take issue with?

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

Well I guess you might as well just double down on your bad take.

Eichel is bigger, it clearly made him a better prospect...forget what appears obvious in how much better at hockey Bedard might seem, he's smaller , so he's not as good

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Eichel is bigger, it clearly made him a better prospect...forget what appears obvious in how much better at hockey Bedard might seem, he's smaller , so he's not as good

Eichel lit up hockey east, educate yourself.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

Eichel lit up the hockey east, educate yourself.

He did, but Bedard is much, much better than Eichel ever was - it doesn't take a pro scout to notice that, just watch a few games

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

He did, but Bedard is much, much better than Eichel ever was - it doesn't take a pro scout to notice that, just watch a few games

I've watched tons of games from both during their draft years. Eichel was an absolute beast. Bigger, stronger, faster. Projected to be a surefire franchise center.

Typically those sorts of physical attributes tip the scale when prospects have roughly equivalent production, which they did from an NHLe perspective.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

I've watched tons of games from both during their draft years. Eichel was an absolute beast. Bigger, stronger, faster. Projected to be a surefire franchise center.

Typically those sorts of physical attributes tip the scale when prospects have roughly equivalent production, which they did from an NHLe perspective.

I guess we see things differently - I like Eichel, but I alwyas thought he was way overhyped. I likened his upside to Seguin and a few posters on here got angry - but I stand by it. He may end up outproducing Seguin's raw totals, but Seguin has top 5 pts finishes, something Eichel has yet to come close to.

I just never saw it in Eichel, lots of tools, definitely a star player, with the possibility to be a franchise player, but absolutely nothing that made me think he would ever compete for hardware or be a top 5 player in the league. With Bedard, see the makings of a future superstar competing for Harts and scoring titles

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I guess we see things differently - I like Eichel, but I alwyas thought he was way overhyped. I likened his upside to Seguin and a few posters on here got angry - but I stand by it. He may end up outproducing Seguin's raw totals, but Seguin has top 5 pts finishes, something Eichel has yet to come close to.

I just never saw it in Eichel, lots of tools, definitely a star player, with the possibility to be a franchise player, but absolutely nothing that made me think he would ever compete for hardware or be a top 5 player in the league. With Bedard, see the makings of a future superstar competing for Harts and scoring titles

Eichel was literally a top 10 scorer in the league before COVID cut the season short, while playing for the buffalo sabres. He was on pace for like 44 goals and 94 points as a 23 year old and was a legitimate Hart contender until buffalo faded.


But all that doesn't matter. He was a world class prospect who goes first in every draft year from 2006-2022 except for 2015.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

Eichel was literally a top 10 scorer in the league before COVID cut the season short, while playing for the buffalo sabres. He was on pace for like 44 goals and 94 points as a 23 year old and was a legitimate Hart contender until buffalo faded.


But all that doesn't matter. He was a world class prospect who goes first in every draft year from 2006-2022 except for 2015.

Again, I said his raw totals would be higher because scoring is so much higher. You do the same thing when you talk about hughes being 20 and pacing for 90 - 90 pts is like what 70 was 10 years ago.

Eichel was on pace to be top 10? Cool, Seguin actually accomplished that a few times, even top 5. I think Eichel is great, but he's not some generational talent, and no matter what most people thought, my opinion was that he had Seguin level potential, something he hasn't even accomplished 8 years later

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Again, I said his raw totals would be higher because scoring is so much higher. You do the same thing when you talk about hughes being 20 and pacing for 90 - 90 pts is like what 70 was 10 years ago.

Eichel was on pace to be top 10? Cool, Seguin actually accomplished that a few times, even top 5. I think Eichel is great, but he's not some generational talent, and no matter what most people thought, my opinion was that he had Seguin level potential, something he hasn't even accomplished 8 years later

No, Eichel actually finished top 10. And he didn't have a Jamie Benn on his line.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

No, Eichel actually finished top 10. And he didn't have a Jamie Benn on his line.

Ok so he he's basically been Segiun Level.

Enough of this, Bedard is leagues better than both were

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Enough of this, Bedard is leagues better than both were

As draft eligible prospect Seguin, yes, Eichel, no.

They had almost identical NHLe while Eichel had the edge in key physical attributes critical to the success of an NHL center.

Ok so he he's basically been Segiun Level.

Prime Eichel>Seguin quite easily. Again, he didn't have a Jamie Benn on his line.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

As draft eligible prospect Seguin, yes, Eichel, no.

They had almost identical NHLe while Eichel had the edge in key physical attributes critical to the success of an NHL center.

Prime Eichel>Seguin quite easily. Again, he didn't have a Jamie Benn on his line.

Its actually not even close , but I'm done arguing. If you think Eichel was the same level because of NHLe, I don't know what to say

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Its actually not even close , but I'm done arguing. If you think Eichel was the same level because of NHLe, I don't know what to say

Well you've failed to make a compelling argument to counter NHLe in this case. And no, "watch the games" doesn't count.

For the record I think Bedard will end up better than Eichel, as he failed to fully reach his potential due to injuries and a poor supporting cast. But as a draft eligible prospect I'd have Eichel ahead.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

Well you've failed to make a compelling argument to counter NHLe in this case. And no, "watch the games" doesn't count.

For the record I think Bedard will end up better than Eichel, as he failed to fully reach his potential due to injuries and a poor supporting cast. But as a draft eligible prospect I'd have Eichel ahead.

NHLe is the ultimate argument man, you're right. Forget that literally EVERYBODY is saying Bedard is twice the prospect, from scouts, fans, you name it.

Watching the games isn't a valid argument? So nobody can have an opinion other than what NHLe says? You're impossible.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

NHLe is the ultimate argument man, you're right. Forget that literally EVERYBODY is saying Bedard is twice the prospect, from scouts, fans, you name it.

Watching the games isn't a valid argument? So nobody can have an opinion other than what NHLe says? You're impossible.

No, literally everybody isn't saying that. Keep listening to your Canadian hype machine. Remember what they were saying about Lafreniere this time of year?

NHLe is far from the ultimate argument, but coupled with other factors it can be a reliable tool in projecting talent. Eichel being the bigger guy AND better skater are two hugely important factors that scouts consider, especially for centers.

It would be one thing if Eichel was barely a ppg player in Hockey East, but he had the dominant production to go with his impressive physical tools.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

No, literally everybody isn't saying that. Keep listening to your Canadian hype machine. Remember what they were saying about Lafreniere this time of year?

NHLe is far from the ultimate argument, but coupled with other factors it can be a reliable tool in projecting talent. Eichel being the bigger guy AND better skater are two hugely important factors that scouts consider, especially for centers.

It would be one thing if Eichel was barely a ppg player in Hockey East, but he had the dominant production to go with his impressive physical tools.

"Its never about Nationality to me"

....."Keep listening to your Canadian Hype machine"

Lafreneire was never even close, and sure, players can bust. Doesn't change the fact that Bedard is levels above both Laf and Eichel. Just look at his track record, watch him play, hes a prodigy that the other's clearly weren't

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

"Its never about Nationality to me"

....."Keep listening to your Canadian Hype machine"

Lafreneire was never even close, and sure, players can bust. Doesn't change the fact that Bedard is levels above both Laf and Eichel. Just look at his track record, watch him play, hes a prodigy that the other's clearly weren't

Even the most biased Canadian fans recognize this gets out of control this time of year.

Bedard has a ton of talent. That's all we're going to agree on it seems.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

Enough of this, Bedard is leagues better than both were

Well this is absolute nonsense.

Hype train firmly off the tracks.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

Well this is absolute nonsense.

Hype train firmly off the tracks.

I mean sure, that's what smashing records everywhere you go will do - I don't think there is a professional scout or GM who would even consider taking Eichel for a second if Bedard was available. People were accused of over hyping McDavid, Sportsnet was clowned for their "Better than Crosby" magazine cover, but at the end of the day, sometimes the play warrants the hype.

In this case, it does.

 

[Daximus]

No, literally everybody isn't saying that. Keep listening to your Canadian hype machine. Remember what they were saying about Lafreniere this time of year?

NHLe is far from the ultimate argument, but coupled with other factors it can be a reliable tool in projecting talent. Eichel being the bigger guy AND better skater are two hugely important factors that scouts consider, especially for centers.

It would be one thing if Eichel was barely a ppg player in Hockey East, but he had the dominant production to go with his impressive physical tools.

I question how NHLe can possibly be a useful tool for a kid whose on pace for the 2nd highest U18 PPG over a full season ever in the WHL. The highest of which was set in 1986. He is basically setting the bar for what an elite of the elite u18 WHL season is at this point. We have never really seen this out of this league yet. When he is setting the bar who can you possibly compare him to?

 

[Panthaz89]

I think you heard it here folks skill at hockey doesn't matter only height, speed, and physical prowess......that's why the leading all-time scorer was #99 because of the all the insane physical attributes he had.

 

[daver]

No, literally everybody isn't saying that. Keep listening to your Canadian hype machine. Remember what they were saying about Lafreniere this time of year?

NHLe is far from the ultimate argument, but coupled with other factors it can be a reliable tool in projecting talent. Eichel being the bigger guy AND better skater are two hugely important factors that scouts consider, especially for centers.

It would be one thing if Eichel was barely a ppg player in Hockey East, but he had the dominant production to go with his impressive physical tools.

You seem to be basing your argument on physical tools; something that traditionally separates players with similar offensive resumes/ceilings as prospects.

Bedard is clearly superior offensively with no reason to think his offensive ceiling would regress in the NHL as smaller players (if you can actually describe Bedard as small) have been able to excel in the league lately (St. Louis, Kane, Gaudreau). Eichel's offensive ceiling wasn't going to rise just because he was bigger.

What are the comparables for Eichel's age 17/18 season in Hockey East/NCAA to indicate he was close to Bedard offensively?

 

[pelderhostiga]

I can reluctantly compare Bedard to Eichel as a prospect, but those here who are dropping names like Yakupov or Lafreniere are obviously trolling. Yes, every year the top 1 pick is hyped to some extent. No, that doesn't mean that the prospects and hype are exactly the same every year.

I understand that some people have a strong desire to go against the grain with everything just to stir up controversy, but in this case there is just no argument to make. Bedard is a rare prospect, he will make an immediate impact in the NHL and be a star player. Will he be the best player in the league at some point of his career or break multiple records? There is just too many factors to consider for such a prediction, but then again it wouldn't surprise me if he achieved such feats.

And by the way, NHLe is a nice tool for comparing prospects generally, but I don't consider it a serious argument for a direct one-on-one comparison. Leagues, seasons and prospects are just too different for such a tool to work on every occasion. For example, it is impossible to use it to compare prospects playing in NA junior leagues with those playing against men in Europe, and it doesn't work for late-bloomers at all.