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

[Aceboogie]

With the run hes on, could be a better prospect than either McDavid or Crosby

 

[Flameshomer]

I don't know much about Regina from last year, but wasn't Erie the worst team in the OHL when McDavid first got there?

McDavid had Conor Brown (led the OHL in Scoring), Dane Fox (over 100 pts), Dylan Strome, Alex DeBrincat, Andre Burakovsky, Adam Pelech, and Brendan Gaunce on the otters roster in 13-14, with Oskar Dansk in net. That's a pretty absurd group of NHLers for a junior roster.

 

[tmlfan98]

McDavid had Conor Brown (led the OHL in Scoring), Dane Fox (over 100 pts), Dylan Strome, Alex DeBrincat, Andre Burakovsky, Adam Pelech, and Brendan Gaunce on the otters roster in 13-14, with Oskar Dansk in net. That's a pretty absurd group of NHLers for a junior roster.

Wow I had no idea Erie's roster had that many big names in 2014. I'm not expecting Bedard to end up as the best player in the world because of McDavid but if he does turn out better I won't be surprised at this point.

 

[kyle44]

Wow I had no idea Erie's roster had that many big names in 2014. I'm not expecting Bedard to end up as the best player in the world because of McDavid but if he does turn out better I won't be surprised at this point.

They didn't have these players when McDavid was 15. The only noteworthy name on the roster during McDavid's exceptional status year was an 18 year old Connor Brown. The players the previous poster cited were on the roster during McDavid's 2nd year, and Debrincat didn't join the team until McDavid's 3rd year.

 

[tmlfan98]

They didn't have these players when McDavid was 15. The only noteworthy name on the roster during McDavid's exceptional status year was an 18 year old Connor Brown. The players the previous poster cited were on the roster during McDavid's 2nd year, and Debrincat didn't join the team until McDavid's 3rd year.

True, but Bedard is currently outscoring both McDavid's 15 and 16 year old seasons.

 

[StIvany4Norris]

With the run hes on, could be a better prospect than either McDavid or Crosby

Just in time for the Pens' rebuild

 

[covfefe]

Last game of the season for Bedard this Friday.

That's so awful to hear. I drive that stretch of highway very regularly. RIP to Mr. Bedard.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

True, but Bedard is currently outscoring both McDavid's 15 and 16 year old seasons.

At 16:

Crosby - 59 gp 135 pts 54 g CHL POY

McDavid - 56 gp 99 pts 28 g

McDavid was also 7 months older and not a rookie. Based on stats McDavid was quite a ways behind Crosby and even Tavares who had 134 pts and 72 goals.

 

[PatrickMcC]

Does he have one trait that defines him? Whenever I watch him, nothing really stands out to me. He's just good at everything and just gets points in his sleep.

Also what is the general feeling between Bedard vs Michkov?

 

[Joe Hallenback]

Really great game from Bedard last night. But my god is Swifty bad this year with 8 rookies in the lineup. I expect swifty to get pummeled by Brandon tonight

Back to Bedard. Still can't believe what he is doing even with the league not at 100 percent in the past its still impressive

 

[Dominance]

Does he have one trait that defines him? Whenever I watch him, nothing really stands out to me. He's just good at everything and just gets points in his sleep.

Also what is the general feeling between Bedard vs Michkov?

You’re joking, right? It’s impossible to watch Bedard play and not take note of his shot.

 

[Oildrum]

Only time will tell how great he ends up being but it's always exciting to see another Canadian kid coming up. I just hope for two things: 1) He doesn't have an annoying ego. 2) He never ever ever wears a flames jersey.

 

[Corso]

Finally had the chance to watch Bedard play and yes he was impressive but I would hold off on the Crosby/McDavid comparisons just yet. He doesn't appear to be a dynamic as McDavid was at that age (and yes I saw McDavid play live) nor does he seem to possess Crosby's skating and puck possession skills. Now don't get me wrong, I would easily put Bedard at an Austin Mathew's level and he's certainly the most impressive 15 year old well since McDavid but just a hair under him.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

Does he have one trait that defines him? Whenever I watch him, nothing really stands out to me. He's just good at everything and just gets points in his sleep.

Also what is the general feeling between Bedard vs Michkov?

His shot.

It's exceptional for a 15-year-old prospect.

One of the best releases I've seen at that age and he doesn't aimlessly shoot it either. Everything is precise and with purpose.

And I think he'll go above Michkov. But this will be the best 1-2 draft since 2015.

 

[Dion TheFluff]

Does he have one trait that defines him? Whenever I watch him, nothing really stands out to me. He's just good at everything and just gets points in his sleep.

Also what is the general feeling between Bedard vs Michkov?

his shot and release is pretty ridiculous no?

 

[Bubbles]

Last game of the season for Bedard this Friday.

My condolences.

 

[PatrickMcC]

His shot.

It's exceptional for a 15-year-old prospect.

One of the best releases I've seen at that age and he doesn't aimlessly shoot it either. Everything is precise and with purpose.

And I think he'll go above Michkov. But this will be the best 1-2 draft since 2015.

my thoughts exactly. I also think his IQ is off the charts; like Cole perfetti level IQ. Because whenever I watch him, he's so good that it honestly looks like the other team doesn't even try to defend him.

 

[McFlash97]

It's a watered down year with no fans and less physical play. There's more pressure and physicality when your getting booed, and the physical intensity is higher. Bedard is impressive indeed but let's hold off on the Crosby and McDavid type hype.

 

[smokes lets go]

Hes so good. Im not sure if he's Mcdavid level, iirc Mcdavids progression from his 2nd to 3rd year was incredible compared to his 1st to 2nd.

 

[covfefe]

Really great game from Bedard last night. But my god is Swifty bad this year with 8 rookies in the lineup. I expect swifty to get pummeled by Brandon tonight

Back to Bedard. Still can't believe what he is doing even with the league not at 100 percent in the past its still impressive

Swifty has been atrocious over the last 3 years. I have them pegged as the most likely team to fold after this season shakes out. They're losing a lot of money and their brand is fading fast, which is obviously not a great combination. Sad because people in that area love hockey.

 

[landy92mack29]

Their brand isn't fading at all they just went for it and won the WHL. Also they're a lot more competitive this year than they were the past couple years, Ward being a big reason. In Junior it always goes in a cycle of rebuild-competitive-championship run-rebuild-repeat outside of a few teams who can magically get certain kids to report. Swift finally has all their picks back and has started to assemble a young core, 1 more rough year and they'll be back being a competitive squad. Kelowna is the team who's in for a rough ride for the next 3-4 years. Couldn't recoup picks from moving Korczak, Hamaliuk, etc to kick start the rebuild but they can get better imports to report at least.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

They didn't have these players when McDavid was 15. The only noteworthy name on the roster during McDavid's exceptional status year was an 18 year old Connor Brown. The players the previous poster cited were on the roster during McDavid's 2nd year, and Debrincat didn't join the team until McDavid's 3rd year.

Yeah, they didn't have all of those stars, but you are wrong with this post.

They had way more what just Connor Brown, like Adam Pelech and Dane Fox, and one of the Raddysh brothers,
also 2 other solid OHL career players, with Dansk as their goalie, when McDavid had his rookie season.

Pats have team full of nobodies, outside Bedard.

 

[Samsquanch]

I dont see him being a generational level talent without the insane level skating that McDavid and Crosby had versus their peers at the same age.

Dont get me wrong I think he can get very close without it - but in todays NHL, McDavids speed and skating is what separates him from the rest of his peers - and thats the only one thing hes clearly better than everyone else at.

Point being for me is that speed is the biggest weapon you can give a top tier player, and probably why McDavid is this generations GOAT until someone just as fast comes along.

 

[Reddwit]

Only time will tell how great he ends up being but it's always exciting to see another Canadian kid coming up. I just hope for two things: 1) He doesn't have an annoying ego. 2) He never ever ever wears a flames jersey.

At this point, I’d love for him to have an annoying ego. McDavid and Crosby combined have the personality and charm of a wet paper bag.

 

[Get North]

It's a watered down year with no fans and less physical play. There's more pressure and physicality when your getting booed, and the physical intensity is higher. Bedard is impressive indeed but let's hold off on the Crosby and McDavid type hype.

Bedard is playing for Canada at the upcoming IIHF U18s. Same age, McDavid scored 14 points in 7 games leading the team in points. The last time Canada won gold at IIHF U18s. That same core won the 2015 World Juniors. He played with the top Canadians of 2013 and 2014 draft, but he was a 2015 leading the tournament in scoring.

Nobody will accomplish that. He could still end up being the best player since McDavid which is flattering as a Canadian.