Prospect Info: Connor Bedard - 2023 1st - C, Regina

[Cubs2024wildcard]

A veteran C/W that plays in the top six will really, really help Bedard and his development. I think that's the only real move the Hawks make.

Hopefully.

I'm just not into rushing things just because we got the kid. Twitter is filled with idiots trying to turn the Hawks into a cup contender "if they just do this" and are multi tweeting out novels that should only be read by somebody heading to the electric chair.

We committed to a rebuild, I just want to stay the course with it with a damn great player on top of it.

 

[shakes the clown]

I believe the Hawks did not have a Captain for a year when Toews was rookie. They had alternates ... and then gave Toews the C the following year.

that makes sense. Hawks should follow exact same blueprint with Bedard. Give him the C after a year.

 

[piteus]

Hopefully.

I'm just not into rushing things just because we got the kid. Twitter is filled with idiots trying to turn the Hawks into a cup contender "if they just do this" and are multi tweeting out novels that should only be read by somebody heading to the electric chair.

We committed to a rebuild, I just want to stay the course with it with a damn great player on top of it.

Yep. The Hawks are already selling tickets for Bedard. There's no reason to rush. The next 2 years is to find and develop great young talent to surround Bedard. And then get the bigtime veteran for Oct '25.

Right now we need to build a big young strong blueline with Seth Jones. I'm confident we'll develop and find the forwards. The last piece will be the goalie. Hopefully, someone will develop in the next 3 years (i.e. Crow).

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

A veteran C/W that plays in the top six will really, really help Bedard and his development. I think that's the only real move the Hawks make.

J.T Compher or Max Domi

Are the two best on UFA market that fit that description

With today's news I expect the Avs make push to keep Compher as they really now cant afford to lose him. His 52 pts was 3rd among forwards and arrow is going up for him since move to C

 

[hackeyman]

Congrats Blackhawk fans. You're going to have some fun watching this guy. Although I cheer for another team I also follow some players that intrigue me . I might pop in here from time to time but I'll always be respectful . I've been watching this kid for 3 years now and I thought I would share some insights.

There is something "special" / "different" about this kid. He doesn't have all the tangibles (but yes he has some in spades) that are obvious with Orr, Crosby, Lemieux ,and McDavid . He's more like Gretzky than any player I've seen . His strengths are more mental than physical . He sees the ice and play like it is in slow motion for him while everyone else is racing to keep up. Even his most tangible strength, his inceredibly fast release and accurate shot has an intangible quality to it. He scores goals when there doesn't appear to be a good opportunity to take a shot. His hyper focus while shooting or passing are unreal. There's a story about someone asking Gretzky how he scored on a particular shot on the angle where the Goalie didn't give 3 inches for the the puck to get by and he said with a wink he turned/shot the puck on it's side . Gretzky may have been joking somewhat but there was a truth in it that he was playing a somewhat different game than everyone else.That's what it feels like watching Bedard at times. Bedard can be contained at times but he will find a way to open things up for his linemates. Bedard's seeing of the ice seems a little different than Gretzky's .Like Gretzky he uses his mental game to create space for himself but he seems to thrive more than Gretzky did in tight traffic. His reaction/response timing is uncanny.

There's something different /odd about him at times that people are going to criticize. After he scores a goal he seems to go in another world for a few seconds and ignores his teammates in the celebration(but then they join him). His facial expressions seem off at times .He can say something awkward in an interview. He seems to have like a hockey autism . I don't mean that in a bad way and I don't think it has anything to do with him having a lack of character. It's just who he is.

I'm not making any conclusions on his career . Anything can happen in sports. When I first saw him I wondered if he was too small or too slow for it to work in the NHL ? At first I kept asking, what makes him so good. After seeing him play over a hundred games these are the answers I've come up with. I hope you find my observations of some interest.

Anyways enjoy the ride , and I hope to see your team in the finals down the road.

 

[JaegerDice]

 

[sufferer]

A solid Kane replacement, I'd say.

 

[TLEH]

can't wait to buy a jersey on draft night.

 

[Malaka]

Bedard-Reichel is gonna be sexy to watch. Add a big body winger next to them who can throw em and watch it all bloom.

Colton Dach? Greene? Hayes?!

 

[Malaka]

View attachment 705179

Token redditor

 

[puterwiz53]

Hopefully.

I'm just not into rushing things just because we got the kid. Twitter is filled with idiots trying to turn the Hawks into a cup contender "if they just do this" and are multi tweeting out novels that should only be read by somebody heading to the electric chair.

We committed to a rebuild, I just want to stay the course with it with a damn great player on top of it.

Davidson needs to start building around Bedard sooner rather than later. If he doesn't, Bedard could get discouraged and decide to move on or demand a trade. Also, we want Bedard to get the Calder trophy. One or two decent players from free agency and hopefully one or two young defensemen can crack the lineup this coming year. Trade Murphy if possible and let Caleb Jones walk. If Davidson can move and get another NHL ready player in the draft even better.

 

[Malaka]

He seems to have like a hockey autism .

Bedard sings a song of my people

 

[CallMeShaft]

Davidson needs to start building around Bedard sooner rather than later. If he doesn't, Bedard could get discouraged and decide to move on or demand a trade. Also, we want Bedard to get the Calder trophy. One or two decent players from free agency and hopefully one or two young defensemen can crack the lineup this coming year. Trade Murphy if possible and let Caleb Jones walk. If Davidson can move and get another NHL ready player in the draft even better.

Bedard hasn't even been drafted yet. He's years away from being an RFA, let alone UFA.

He might not be ecstatic at the team he's surrounded by for the first few years, but hopefully they can build a solid supporting cast well before he ever has a chance of leaving.

 

[BLKHKhockey]

Davidson needs to start building around Bedard sooner rather than later. If he doesn't, Bedard could get discouraged and decide to move on or demand a trade. Also, we want Bedard to get the Calder trophy. One or two decent players from free agency and hopefully one or two young defensemen can crack the lineup this coming year. Trade Murphy if possible and let Caleb Jones walk. If Davidson can move and get another NHL ready player in the draft even better.

I won't pretend to know whether staying the course or accelerating the rebuild is the better option, but i think accelerating it would have more to do with maximizing Bedard's years in the league.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

Bedard hasn't even been drafted yet. He's years away from being an RFA, let alone UFA.

He might not be ecstatic at the team he's surrounded by for the first few years, but hopefully they can build a solid supporting cast well before he ever has a chance of leaving.

lot of team canada prospects in the pipeline with him, that should help

 

[piteus]

Davidson needs to start building around Bedard sooner rather than later. If he doesn't, Bedard could get discouraged and decide to move on or demand a trade. Also, we want Bedard to get the Calder trophy. One or two decent players from free agency and hopefully one or two young defensemen can crack the lineup this coming year. Trade Murphy if possible and let Caleb Jones walk. If Davidson can move and get another NHL ready player in the draft even better.

Understandbly, the Wirtz Family have shaken our confidence thr last 2-3 years. That said, I have no doubt they still want to win Cups. This isn't Reinsdorf just selling hope by just coming in second place. The Hawks told us they were rebuilding and it would take a while. They took the hit in attendance. They took the hit in merch sales. They received no national exposure. The Hawks took the financial pain to win in the long run. The process is the correct one. They will surround Bedard with the right talent in time. It will take 2-3 years.

Meanwhile, I'm sure Bedard will notice the enormous fan base of the Blackhawks and the electricity in the UC. Hockey players want to play in Chicago.

 

[EddieTheEagle]

can't wait to buy a jersey on draft night.

Buy it now, chicken.

lot of team canada prospects in the pipeline with him, that should help

I'm loving what the Seattle Thunderbirds are doing for a handful of our prospects and I wouldn't be shocked to see someone like Sawchyn picked up due to the amount of TBird watching the Hawks brass have been doing.

Foster a high-compete, winning culture first and foremost. LuRich seems to be a guy to help do that.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

Congrats Blackhawk fans. You're going to have some fun watching this guy. Although I cheer for another team I also follow some players that intrigue me . I might pop in here from time to time but I'll always be respectful . I've been watching this kid for 3 years now and I thought I would share some insights.

There is something "special" / "different" about this kid. He doesn't have all the tangibles (but yes he has some in spades) that are obvious with Orr, Crosby, Lemieux ,and McDavid . He's more like Gretzky than any player I've seen . His strengths are more mental than physical . He sees the ice and play like it is in slow motion for him while everyone else is racing to keep up. Even his most tangible strength, his inceredibly fast release and accurate shot has an intangible quality to it. He scores goals when there doesn't appear to be a good opportunity to take a shot. His hyper focus while shooting or passing are unreal. There's a story about someone asking Gretzky how he scored on a particular shot on the angle where the Goalie didn't give 3 inches for the the puck to get by and he said with a wink he turned/shot the puck on it's side . Gretzky may have been joking somewhat but there was a truth in it that he was playing a somewhat different game than everyone else.That's what it feels like watching Bedard at times. Bedard can be contained at times but he will find a way to open things up for his linemates. Bedard's seeing of the ice seems a little different than Gretzky's .Like Gretzky he uses his mental game to create space for himself but he seems to thrive more than Gretzky did in tight traffic. His reaction/response timing is uncanny.

There's something different /odd about him at times that people are going to criticize. After he scores a goal he seems to go in another world for a few seconds and ignores his teammates in the celebration(but then they join him). His facial expressions seem off at times .He can say something awkward in an interview. He seems to have like a hockey autism . I don't mean that in a bad way and I don't think it has anything to do with him having a lack of character. It's just who he is.

I'm not making any conclusions on his career . Anything can happen in sports. When I first saw him I wondered if he was too small or too slow for it to work in the NHL ? At first I kept asking, what makes him so good. After seeing him play over a hundred games these are the answers I've come up with. I hope you find my observations of some interest.

Anyways enjoy the ride , and I hope to see your team in the finals down the road.

Sounds like Kane but maybe for different reasons, Kane lives for the celebrations ..but they've asked Kane too why he will celebrate like he does some times and he just said he will kind of black out after a goal and not remember, but his WJC interview after winning gold seemed really natural, maybe just has to grow into that side more as far as the public is concerned but could be a completely different person behind closed doors

 

[TheFridge]

As a brand-new die-hard Blackhawks fan, I see we have multiple firsts in each of the next several drafts. Do you long-time fans think it would be better to stay the course, or start dealing immediately for a quality youngster to hopefully become Bedard’s star linemate?

Absolutely stay the course. People need to remember that Chicago, with DeBrincat, Strome, Kubalik, Dach and far healthier Kane still finished 6th last the season prior this past season. Even with Bedard, the Hawks are going to blow next year and honestly, that's not going to be a bad thing. While the top of next year's draft doesn't have a Bedard, Celebrini and Eiserman look unreal right now too. It's more likely CHI is going to draft the player that's going to ride shotgun with Bedard than sign/acquire one in trade.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

Absolutely stay the course. People need to remember that Chicago, with DeBrincat, Strome, Kubalik, Dach and far healthier Kane still finished 6th last the season prior this past season. Even with Bedard, the Hawks are going to blow next year and honestly, that's not going to be a bad thing. While the top of next year's draft doesn't have a Bedard, Celebrini and Eiserman look unreal right now too. It's more likely CHI is going to draft the player that's going to ride shotgun with Bedard than sign/acquire one in trade.

that team had a coach that was letting his players draw up plays on national tv, richardson gets more out of his players

 

[thedarkstark]

There is something "special" / "different" about this kid. He doesn't have all the tangibles (but yes he has some in spades) that are obvious with Orr, Crosby, Lemieux ,and McDavid . He's more like Gretzky than any player I've seen . His strengths are more mental than physical . He sees the ice and play like it is in slow motion for him while everyone else is racing to keep up. Even his most tangible strength, his inceredibly fast release and accurate shot has an intangible quality to it. He scores goals when there doesn't appear to be a good opportunity to take a shot. His hyper focus while shooting or passing are unreal. There's a story about someone asking Gretzky how he scored on a particular shot on the angle where the Goalie didn't give 3 inches for the the puck to get by and he said with a wink he turned/shot the puck on it's side . Gretzky may have been joking somewhat but there was a truth in it that he was playing a somewhat different game than everyone else.That's what it feels like watching Bedard at times. Bedard can be contained at times but he will find a way to open things up for his linemates. Bedard's seeing of the ice seems a little different than Gretzky's .Like Gretzky he uses his mental game to create space for himself but he seems to thrive more than Gretzky did in tight traffic. His reaction/response timing is uncanny.

There's something different /odd about him at times that people are going to criticize. After he scores a goal he seems to go in another world for a few seconds and ignores his teammates in the celebration(but then they join him). His facial expressions seem off at times .He can say something awkward in an interview. He seems to have like a hockey autism . I don't mean that in a bad way and I don't think it has anything to do with him having a lack of character. It's just who he is.

I'm not making any conclusions on his career . Anything can happen in sports. When I first saw him I wondered if he was too small or too slow for it to work in the NHL ? At first I kept asking, what makes him so good. After seeing him play over a hundred games these are the answers I've come up with.

This pretty much Kane's story too, his only elite tangible trait were his hands, nothing else really stood out about him on paper.

After years of watching him I figured out what made him special is his patience and his ability to create space where there is none. Its especially noticable when he has the puck near the blue line. A lot of guys will panic and dump the puck or skate in some direction but not Kane. He will sit there more or less flat-footed until a defender comes to him and opens a passing lane or he will undress them with a deke and get right to the net.

I see a lot of that with bedard, he's not the fastest or the biggest guy in the world but he's just processing what he sees at a level that is so far beyond what most players are capable of.

 

[TheFridge]

This pretty much Kane's story too, his only elite tangible trait were his hands, nothing else really stood out about him on paper.

After years of watching him I figured out what made him special is his patience and his ability to create space where there is none. Its especially noticable when he has the puck near the blue line. A lot of guys will panic and dump the puck or skate in some direction but not Kane. He will sit there more or less flat-footed until a defender comes to him and opens a passing lane or he will undress them with a deke and get right to the net.

I see a lot of that with bedard, he's not the fastest or the biggest guy in the world but he's just processing what he sees at a level that is so far beyond what most players are capable of.

Watching Kane in London in his draft year, he would basically be toying with the opposition some nights. His ability to beat multiple defenders routinely was so special. And it wasn't that he would beat you, like you said, with elite speed or physicality. He would literally just pick apart a defense methodically, manipulate the opposition around him to create space and then take what was given to him. You see a lot of that with Bedard too, but as an elite shooter whereas Kane was a playmaker. Not that Bedard lacks in playmaking ability and certainly Kane didn't lack as a goal-scorer in Junior. Just their ability to dictate pace when they're on the ice, there's definitely similarities there.

 

[Sinbad]

The first player I call July 1st is Ryan Reeves, just to send the message “no one f**ks around with Bedard”.

 

[x Tame Impala]

The first player I call July 1st is Ryan Reeves, just to send the message “no one f**ks around with Bedard”.

I'd be fine with Reeves here

 

[EddieTheEagle]

The first player I call July 1st is Ryan Reeves, just to send the message “no one f**ks around with Bedard”.

Reavo isn't the best hockey player but he is effective in what he does and provides a certain type of swagger to a club. You can see the impact when he joins a new team.