Patrick Kane rarely got lit up. His awareness of what was around him is 2nd to none. If Bedard has 3/4's of that awareness and plays in the same areas as Kane, his size won't matter. My concern is how long they try him at center---which has more 200 foot demands and increases the physicality potential....I see him at wing before the year is over to be honest.
Prospect Info: Connor Bedard - 2023 1st - C, Regina
- Thread starter Pez68
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It became an outrage for other fans on May 8, 2023. And only because this draft had Conner Bedard, etc. If this was one of those bland drafts, like last year, the outrage would be nil. So these fans are using Kyle Beach to fit their own narrative against the Hawks and I find it disgusting.
thedarkstark
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This is my concern also. A lot is asked of a first line C defensively, I know he has the compete level but being 5'10 makes it a lot harder because you have to expend more energy. I think he has the capability to do it just not sure if it's actually the best way to utilize his skillset long-term.
Hawkaholic
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Crosby a C, other smaller in stature players around his size have played C. He'll have no problem, he has a very low center of gravity and he'll be hard to knock off the puck. He'll learn to protect the puck just like Sid. Not sure why there is any concern.
CallMeShaft
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I'm not expecting a Selke like performance from him in the future, but Bedard generates through the middle in the offensive zone. Putting him along the boards isn't utilizing his offensive potential.
So until he shows he can't stick at C long term, he should be viewed as a center.
So until he shows he can't stick at C long term, he should be viewed as a center.
thedarkstark
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Everything you just mentioned pertains to offense. Nobody questions that he will be an elite playmaker/scorer no matter where he plays. We specifically cited defense as the area of concern. You can be a good defender at a small stature but it's harder because your reach is shorter and bigger guys dont have to expend as much energy in the dirty areas because they can just throw their weight around.
If he ends up being gassed in the o-zone from having to work too hard in the d-zone he might be a better fit at wing. It's not about ability it's just physics. We can't just pencil him in as a crosby level defender because he hasnt shown that yet.
Blackhawkswincup
RIP Fugu
Hawkaholic
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No, not everything I said pertains to offense. You want to protect the puck in the D zone when you get it as well, your quickness allows you to escape situations that you don't have to expand energy on. Having great hands and vision allows you to make quick plays.
Crosby is great defensively. Brayden Point is great defensively, lots of centers that are 5'11 are good defensively, he's only 1 inch shorter..lol it's a dumb argument. Being shorter, if you even consider 5'10 short, has little bearing on you being good defensively. Having IQ and quickness with your feet help much more.
Crosby hadnt shown he was great at D when he was 17 either.
thedarkstark
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Why are you trying to conflate possibility with probability? It's POSSIBLE for a guy who is 5'9 to dunk a basketball but it's not PROBABLE.
People need to chill with the "same height is crosby, therefore as good as crosby" takes. I hope he's our 1C puts up 150 pts and wins a selke but I'm not going to put that kind of pressure & expectation on him.
Hawkaholic
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I'm saying that you are wrong saying that height or lack thereof has zero bearing on you being a good defensive player. And Bedard isn't even that short.
Yes, it's possible he doesn't figure out the defensive end in his career, but it won't be because he didn't try (Kane) or because of his height (Point, Crosby,etc).
No where has anyone said that just because he is the same height as Crosby he will be as good as him lol. The point is, height is not a factor for him whatsoever.
Callidusblackhawk
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The Hawks would be stupid not to find 2 way centers to play behind Bedard. If they're expecting him to take on a Toews-esque 2 way workload they're already f***ing up.
Drumman44
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I would say get Ryan O’Reilly in free agency but he completely gave up on a bad team in Buffalo already. Not sure he’d want to do it again
Malaka
you know, **** it, let’s just not think so much
thedarkstark
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Exactly my point. People are saying Bedard 1C and Nazar 2C and I just don't see that working.
Callidusblackhawk
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He's too old/washed anyway. He'll be 35/36 by the time the Hawks are ready to compete. They have time to find the 2 and 3 Cs of the future.
Hawkaholic
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You were saying Bedard may not be a C because he's "small".
No St. Louis, it does not matter how aggressive your GM gets in his pursuit of #1. the Blues will not be getting the pick.
Darkstar
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I think at Regina, he had to cheat a lot because he was pretty much all they had. There's no reason as of yet to think his defense can't be developed to an acceptable level.
thedarkstark
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Toews2Bickell
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TLEH
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No, I would not be disappointed if Bedard had a similar impact as Kane.
If that happened it would be less than what people expect of him currently, but certainly a player you can win with.
If that happened it would be less than what people expect of him currently, but certainly a player you can win with.
CallMeShaft
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That undersells Kane’s career. He was 4th place in the Ovie/Sid/Malkin tier for a huge chunk of his career. I hope he comes back and plays for another 3-5 years. He has a shot at 1500 points. One of the best we’ll ever see as Hawk fans for sure.
BLKHKhockey
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Stats aside, Kane was one of the most electric players. His playmaking and creativity were a treat to watch. Factor in how clutch he was and it's gonna be hard to top him, entertainment-wise. Here's hoping Bedard does.
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