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

[sting101]

can't wait for junior to open its doors again so i can watch this kid live. Watched Byram play his 1st game with the Giants and knew he would be something special.

 

[flying v 604]

Haven't seen a 1-2 shape up like this since Ovechkin-Malkin

Isn't the Russian kid signed till 2027? That's a long time to wait for a #1 or #2 pick. Plus if the kids pans out you know they will do anything to keep him there. If the NHL was #1 for this kid there was no need for him to sign a contract of that length for what amounts to little more then a maxed out ELC.
Russia has already stated they intend to try to keep their best talent at home.
I doubt he goes anywhere near Bedard for those reasons.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

With primary assist, his point streak continues. (6 games)

BTW. Connor McDavid played his first OHL career game with binocular stats; 0+0
but then went on a 15 game point streak; 8 goals, 11 assists, 19 points.

First 6 games McDavid scored 3 goals and 5 assists, 8 points
In first 6 games Bedard has scored 5 goals and 5 assists, 10 points.

What makes it even more better (points wisely) for Bedard is that
Otters had a better roster and the fact that, in the WHL its harder to score goals/points what in the OHL.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

With primary assist, his point streak continues. (6 games)

BTW. Connor McDavid played his first OHL career game with binocular stats; 0+0
but then went on a 15 game point streak; 8 goals, 11 assists, 19 points.

First 6 games McDavid scored 3 goals and 5 assists, 8 points
In first 6 games Bedard has scored 5 goals and 5 assists, 10 points.

What makes it even more better (points wisely) for Bedard is that
Otters had a better roster and the fact that, in the WHL its harder to score goals/points what in the OHL.

I can't say for sure but I would bet that the OHL was actually lower in scoring in 12-13 than the WHL is right now, seems like all CHL leagues have followed the NHL's lead in upping the pace in recent years.

Regardless very impressive start to the year.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Weird seeing him only putting up 1 point last night lol.

The kid is so dynamic already, its ridiculous. So scary to think how dominant he will be in a couple years

 

[Artorius Horus T]

I can't say for sure but I would bet that the OHL was actually lower in scoring in 12-13 than the WHL is right now, seems like all CHL leagues have followed the NHL's lead in upping the pace in recent years.

Regardless very impressive start to the year.

Well...like you said, very impressive.

 

[canadianmagpie]

Just a shame that the Pats aren't allowed anyone in to watch this kid play. Mind you, their starting goalie sucks right now so I anticipate them making a run for the Memorial Cup in 2022-23 in Bedard's last year before the draft. Last time they made a run they had Adam Brooks (Toronto) and Sam Steel (Anaheim) on the roster.

What sucks for Swift Current is it was their pick that Regina used to select him (Swift Current bombed last year after they were expected to do well). Now you handed the best player in the draft and in the league (likely starting next year) to a rival.

 

[Dust]

Just a shame that the Pats aren't allowed anyone in to watch this kid play. Mind you, their starting goalie sucks right now so I anticipate them making a run for the Memorial Cup in 2022-23 in Bedard's last year before the draft. Last time they made a run they had Adam Brooks (Toronto) and Sam Steel (Anaheim) on the roster.

What sucks for Swift Current is it was their pick that Regina used to select him (Swift Current bombed last year after they were expected to do well). Now you handed the best player in the draft and in the league (likely starting next year) to a rival.

That was such a good team, it was too bad that Brooks got hurt in the playoffs. Also had Austin Wagner (LA), and Mahura (Anaheim) plus a bunch of other fairly high NHL draft picks.

Also just for clarification, Swift Current traded that 1st to Lethbridge for Stuart Skinner in their Memorial Cup run back in 2018. Lethbridge then traded it to Regina the following season to make a run of their own only to get bounced in the 1st round.

 

[Bubbles]

Just a shame that the Pats aren't allowed anyone in to watch this kid play. Mind you, their starting goalie sucks right now so I anticipate them making a run for the Memorial Cup in 2022-23 in Bedard's last year before the draft. Last time they made a run they had Adam Brooks (Toronto) and Sam Steel (Anaheim) on the roster.

What sucks for Swift Current is it was their pick that Regina used to select him (Swift Current bombed last year after they were expected to do well). Now you handed the best player in the draft and in the league (likely starting next year) to a rival.

The Pats aren't a great team now. I guess you can look at the positives and say that Connor gets the top minutes and plays more often. Also the ICE are a powerhouse this year. Would have been a superstar team if Savoie had stayed with them this year instead of running off to the USHL.

 

[Atoyot]

With primary assist, his point streak continues. (6 games)

BTW. Connor McDavid played his first OHL career game with binocular stats; 0+0
but then went on a 15 game point streak; 8 goals, 11 assists, 19 points.

First 6 games McDavid scored 3 goals and 5 assists, 8 points
In first 6 games Bedard has scored 5 goals and 5 assists, 10 points.

What makes it even more better (points wisely) for Bedard is that
Otters had a better roster and the fact that, in the WHL its harder to score goals/points what in the OHL.

Not sure where you're coming up with Otters having the better roster. They were genuinely awful and the 2nd worst team in the OHL that year.

 

[landy92mack29]

Just a shame that the Pats aren't allowed anyone in to watch this kid play. Mind you, their starting goalie sucks right now so I anticipate them making a run for the Memorial Cup in 2022-23 in Bedard's last year before the draft. Last time they made a run they had Adam Brooks (Toronto) and Sam Steel (Anaheim) on the roster.

What sucks for Swift Current is it was their pick that Regina used to select him (Swift Current bombed last year after they were expected to do well). Now you handed the best player in the draft and in the league (likely starting next year) to a rival.

Swift Current wasn't expected to be good last year at all, they were expected to be the worst team. They'll still be the worst team along with Kelowna for the next 2-3 years. As special as Bedard is the Pats prospect pool is empty and other than imports they have nothing on the way so don't expect the Pats to be that good during Bedards career.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Not sure where you're coming up with Otters having the better roster. They were genuinely awful and the 2nd worst team in the OHL that year.

1) looking at their rosters and compare; Otters had forwards like Connor Brown, Jake Evans and Dane Fox, etc.
Adam Pelech, was in the D, Oscar Dansk in the net, who does Connor Bedard have in that Pats roster, that you might
consider a pro material? Do they even have a single drafted player on that roster?

 

[Joe Hallenback]

He is not just really good he might be the best rookie I have ever seen in the WHL for his age. He is doing something I have never seen in the 30 years I have watched WHL hockey and isn't just the production its the way he can tilt the ice with the type of players he has around him

 

[Love]

He is not just really good he might be the best rookie I have ever seen in the WHL for his age. He is doing something I have never seen in the 30 years I have watched WHL hockey and isn't just the production its the way he can tilt the ice with the type of players he has around him

Yeah I don't know if Western Canada has ever produced a prospect like him unless I'm forgetting someone

 

[Joe Hallenback]

Yeah I don't know if Western Canada has ever produced a prospect like him unless I'm forgetting someone

The last player I have seen that I would say was this impressive was Jonathan Toews. I watched Toews play Bantam and he was and still is the best bantam aged player I have ever seen play. He should have been in the WHL as a 15 year old.

 

[Love]

The last player I have seen that I would say was this impressive was Jonathan Toews. I watched Toews play Bantam and he was and still is the best bantam aged player I have ever seen play. He should have been in the WHL as a 15 year old.

Wow I didn't realize Toews was that good at 15. Makes you really wonder why he didn't go 1st overall especially with his really impressive draft year in the NCAA.

 

[prospectwizards]

Based on what he looks like so far, this is a first overall lock with the potential to be one of the best players in the NHL. He reminds me a bit of Kucherov stylistically.

It seems like he might get a bit bigger too; shocking for a 15-year-old, I know lol. McDavid was listed at 5'11 and 170 for his rookie OHL season and he is now 6'1 192, Bedard is 5'10 179 while also being a July b-day to McDavid's January. Maybe he plays in the NHL as a 6'0 200lb guy?

 

[wings5]

Based on what he looks like so far, this is a first overall lock with the potential to be one of the best players in the NHL. He reminds me a bit of Kucherov stylistically.

It seems like he might get a bit bigger too; shocking for a 15-year-old, I know lol. McDavid was listed at 5'11 and 170 for his rookie OHL season and he is now 6'1 192, Bedard is 5'10 179 while also being a July b-day to McDavid's January. Maybe he plays in the NHL as a 6'0 200lb guy?

If he's indeed 180lbs it's likely Bedard gets to around 200 lbs even if he doesn't grow any more in height. I have to say that's quite stocky for his age, I thought he was much smaller

 

[prospectwizards]

If he's indeed 180lbs it's likely Bedard gets to around 200 lbs even if he doesn't grow any more in height. I have to say that's quite stocky for his age, I thought he was much smaller

Agreed that’s a stocky 15 year old for sure, I’d say he looks solid on the ice too. Can’t seem to find how big Crosby was as a jr rookie but he plays at 200 so maybe that’s a better thing to look at than 97

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

Wow I didn't realize Toews was that good at 15. Makes you really wonder why he didn't go 1st overall especially with his really impressive draft year in the NCAA.

Toews was considered 1A-1B with Kessel for like 2 years leading up to their draft,, and Kessel was getting the ''American Crosby'' moniker at that time - TBH not really sure why he fell to 3rd, I guess EJ really just kinda came into his own that year and people saw true #1 upside.

I feel like Kessel was over-scouted, people were expecting a Crosby level talent and when he obviously could not live up to that he lost his luster. Jordan Staal got a massive boost for being Erics brother that year, since a 20 year old Eric just put up 100pts and led the playoffs in scoring.

 

[Kranix]

He looks like Kane out there with the Pats. he can launch that laser beam damn

 

[Love]

Toews was considered 1A-1B with Kessel for like 2 years leading up to their draft,, and Kessel was getting the ''American Crosby'' moniker at that time - TBH not really sure why he fell to 3rd, I guess EJ really just kinda came into his own that year and people saw true #1 upside.

I feel like Kessel was over-scouted, people were expecting a Crosby level talent and when he obviously could not live up to that he lost his luster. Jordan Staal got a massive boost for being Erics brother that year, since a 20 year old Eric just put up 100pts and led the playoffs in scoring.

Ya Jordan Staal looks really out of place there. Not just because of how his career turned out, but only a PPG player in the CHL and somehow went ahead of Toews and Kessel? Crazy.

 

[Bubbles]

Two assists tonight.

 

[peconcan]

Wish we could see him at the u18s this year but I think I read above the WHL season won’t be over on time? Who will Canada even pick from for the u18s?

 

[Love]

3rd in the WHL in points