Connor Bedard or Jack Hughes?

[PainForShane]

I dont think he woiuld have any thing to learn there too. Hughes was NHL ready but his body wasnt NHL ready

Well, I'd argue Bedard is sort of in the same spot if you look at his game right now. From the games I've seen he hasn't been getting shots from good areas (limited viewings and all on TV), imo he's not shifty enough or a good enough skater to consistently get to hard ice at the NHL level. Part of that is he's certainly not strong enough to push NHL-size defenders out of a position once they're already established. He also doesn't really have anything close to good or elite passing linemates to get him the puck in tough areas (even someone like an young Kuznetsov equivalent would be more than good enough imo -- iirc you're a Leafs fan, Chicago doesn't currently have anyone close to a young Willie or Marner). I personally hope Chicago can draft one of those types of players in the coming years, I'd love to see the guy succeed.

For me as a Zona fan, Clayton Keller had a similar issue at the start of his career imo. The first half of his rookie year he was amazing as an undersized 19 year old, then he trended downward for multiple years until he put on like 10-15 pounds one random summer and he's been a completely different player since because he's consistently been winning puck battles for the past few years. You need to consistently get into hard areas to score and this year as far as I can tell Bedard hasn't consistently been able to do so, at least not in the few games I've seen (again, all on TV).

***

All that to say I think IF Bedard improves his skating (like Brayden Point did) and / or IF he puts on some size while also figuring out how to better use his body (like most young players end up doing), then I think he could absolutely dominate this league in a way that few players do. Either or both of these IFs are clearly possible and arguably could be expected given how driven the guy seems to be.

I personally wouldn't be surprised AT ALL if he ends up figuring it out and ends up dominating the league if / whenever that ends up happening. But, agree with your take that both choices are good choices here, you really can't go wrong. Kinda impressed it's close to 50/50 rn tbh

 

[Arthur Morgan]

Well, I'd argue Bedard is sort of in the same spot if you look at his game right now. From the games I've seen he hasn't been getting shots from good areas (limited viewings and all on TV), imo he's not shifty enough or a good enough skater to consistently get to hard ice at the NHL level. Part of that is he's certainly not strong enough to push NHL-size defenders out of a position once they're already established. He also doesn't really have anything close to good or elite passing linemates to get him the puck in tough areas (even someone like an young Kuznetsov equivalent would be more than good enough imo -- iirc you're a Leafs fan, Chicago doesn't currently have anyone close to a young Willie or Marner). I personally hope Chicago can draft one of those types of players in the coming years, I'd love to see the guy succeed.

For me as a Zona fan, Clayton Keller had a similar issue at the start of his career imo. The first half of his rookie year he was amazing as an undersized 19 year old, then he trended downward for multiple years until he put on like 10-15 pounds one random summer and he's been a completely different player since because he's consistently been winning puck battles for the past few years. You need to consistently get into hard areas to score and this year as far as I can tell Bedard hasn't consistently been able to do so, at least not in the few games I've seen (again, all on TV).

***

All that to say I think IF Bedard improves his skating (like Brayden Point did) and / or IF he puts on some size while also figuring out how to better use his body (like most young players end up doing), then I think he could absolutely dominate this league in a way that few players do. Either or both of these IFs are clearly possible and arguably could be expected given how driven the guy seems to be.

I personally wouldn't be surprised AT ALL if he ends up figuring it out and ends up dominating the league if / whenever that ends up happening. But, agree with your take that both choices are good choices here, you really can't go wrong. Kinda impressed it's close to 50/50 rn tbh

well when Hughes first came in guys like Bratt may have been on the team but he wasnt the Bratt you see today. NJ wasn't as good as your making them out to be, they grew together as a team, even Hischier has taken some big steps forward since that year.

other than that I agree with you

 

[TBF1972]

The talent is real, and that’s what people recognize. Nobody is voting for him here because he was hyped up before he ever got to the league.

do you really believe that? some will vote for hughes because he is american and others will vote for bedard because he is canadian.

i haven't voted because i hardly ever watch the hawks play.

 

[PainForShane]

well when Hughes first came in guys like Bratt may have been on the team but he wasnt the Bratt you see today. NJ wasn't as good as your making them out to be, they grew together as a team, even Hischier has taken some big steps forward since that year.

other than that I agree with you

Yeah, I'm not saying NJ was good during Jack Hughes' first few years in the league, if you notice I literally said nothing about NJ as a team during Hughes' first few years, nor did I mention Jack Hughes’ wingers. Also Hischier’s had a legitimately world-class 200 foot game since the day he joined in the league, that’s exceptionally hard to do.

My assumption is that hockey is a team sport, no one is an island. Therefore I do honestly think Bedard would have waaaay better production with a legitimately talented pass-winger which he doesn't have as of right now. So I think if Chicago drafts a pass-first winger, AND / OR if Bedard puts on some size so he can consistently get to scoring areas AND / OR if he works on his skating (like Brayden Point did) then I think his chance of becoming truly great is actually fairly high. And I think most likely at least one of those things (probably multiple) will actually happen here over the next few years, if so we’ll see what ends up happening.

In the meantime Jack Hughes is already established so if you want to go with him, makes sense too

 

[HugeInTheShire]

I don't see why anyone would be upset with someone for picking one over the other. These are 2 high end players, if you want more of a sure thing with a nice contract, take Hughes.
If you think Bedard takes off and becomes the better player, take Bedard.

For the Devils, there are very few players I'd consider trading Jack Hughes for, and Connor Bedard is most certainly one of them.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

Yeah, I'm not saying NJ was good during Jack Hughes' first few years in the league, if you notice I literally said nothing about NJ as a team during Hughes' first few years, nor did I mention Jack Hughes’ wingers. Also Hischier’s had a legitimately world-class 200 foot game since the day he joined in the league, that’s exceptionally hard to do.

My assumption is that hockey is a team sport, no one is an island. Therefore I do honestly think Bedard would have waaaay better production with a legitimately talented pass-winger which he doesn't have as of right now. So I think if Chicago drafts a pass-first winger, AND / OR if Bedard puts on some size so he can consistently get to scoring areas AND / OR if he works on his skating (like Brayden Point did) then I think his chance of becoming truly great is actually fairly high. And I think most likely at least one of those things (probably multiple) will actually happen here over the next few years, if so we’ll see what ends up happening.

In the meantime Jack Hughes is already established so if you want to go with him, makes sense too

oh I see my mistake honestly this is a cant go wrong direction. Bedard will continue to grow and get better. and so will Hughes. I cant sit here and think Jack Hughes is at his max just yet. so really the question is will Bedard become what Hughes currently is or exceed. cant really say but dont think either choice is the wrong one

 

[PainForShane]

oh I see my mistake honestly this is a cant go wrong direction. Bedard will continue to grow and get better. and so will Hughes. I cant sit here and think Jack Hughes is at his max just yet. so really the question is will Bedard become what Hughes currently is or exceed. cant really say but dont think either choice is the wrong one

Yep. What you said is 100% reasonable. Also, sincere thanks for 'bumping' this poll

 

[Dust]

Voted Bedard but it's close. He's ahead of where Hughes was at the same age, and I think he's built to stay healthier, but there's always the unknown of how he progresses. Last year it looked like a shoe in that he'd end up a 100 point player, and this year he's gone through some struggles.

 

[SimpleJack]

do you really believe that? some will vote for hughes because he is american and others will vote for bedard because he is canadian.

i haven't voted because i hardly ever watch the hawks play.

Yes I believe it. Who in their right mind would use pre-NHL hype/buzz as the deciding factor in choosing the better player between these 2? That makes absolutely zero sense. Just going by that then wouldn’t Bedard be the obvious answer because he was the one who was hyped up the most?