Connor Bedard or Jack Hughes?

[Arthur Morgan]

I was given permission to restart this one. so sometime around last year there was a thread started with the question.

Who are you taking to build your team around today? Factoring in all current circumstances.

Connor Bedard:
Age: 19
Contract Status: 2x $4,450,000 AAV (ELC)
Career: 86GP - 25G - 49A - 74P -52

Jack Hughes:
Age: 23
Contract Status: 6x $8,000,000
Career: 327 GP - 122G - 181A - 303P -44

Click to read more...

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Still Hughes. Bedard has a long way to go. He could very well end up just as good, maybe even a bit better, but his recent trajectory is certainly a bit concerning.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

Still Hughes. Bedard has a long way to go. He could very well end up just as good, maybe even a bit better, but his recent trajectory is certainly a bit concerning.

I honestly would be extremely happy to own either player but can't disagree with what your saying.

 

[Felidae]

Still Hughes. Bedard has a long way to go. He could very well end up just as good, maybe even a bit better, but his recent trajectory is certainly a bit concerning.

Relative to expectations perhaps, but Bedard's rookie season is still one of the best we've seen in a while.

And it was certainly better than Hughes's rookie and sophomore year.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

Relative to expectations perhaps, but Bedard's rookie season is still one of the best we've seen in a while.

And it was certainly better than Hughes's rookie and sophomore year.

no denying that Hughes' first 2 seasons weren't that great but he just wasn't NHL ready or that's the impression I got out of it. he should have never been in the NHL right out the gate just nothing left for him to learn at a lower level

 

[bobholly39]

Still Bedard

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

This is a brutal time currently for Bedard, I think he’ll figure it out he’s only 19. Hughes is a legit elite offensive talent that has a damn near 100 point season under his belt already, this is tough. I think Bedard has a good chance to eclipse Hughes eventually, but really who knows. I’m just not gonna vote, too close to call, Hughes has a great contract though, hopefully he stays healthy.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

Still Bedard

can't say your right or wrong for your choice but just wondering why is it still Bedard?

 

[waitin425]

Voted Bedard, as I think he will right the ship.

But, it is very difficult. Hughes is a stud entering his prime. Bedard has question marks....fresh ones.

I guess I'm a gambling man though and will take Bedard.

 

[Fatass]

Hughes and by a lot.

 

[Cubs2024wildcard]

Hawks fan saying Hughes.

Bedard isn't what the media made him out to be.

 

[bobholly39]

can't say your right or wrong for your choice but just wondering why is it still Bedard?

Don't have any huge technical argument to make or anything.

He was the better prospect (you could even say by a lot) - and he's barely at the start of year 2. Way too soon to give up on him and pass him up.

I actually think very highly of Hughes. So this isn't a knock on him I just think Bedard ends up better.

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

Don't have any huge technical argument to make or anything.

He was the better prospect (you could even say by a lot) - and he's barely at the start of year 2. Way too soon to give up on him and pass him up.

I actually think very highly of Hughes. So this isn't a knock on him I just think Bedard ends up better.

I agree it isn’t who’s better right now, it was about who do you build around. Hughes is clearly better right now, it’s such a toss up, doubt you could go wrong either way.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Still Bedard. He's younger and doesn't have health problems. And even talent wise he's probably ahead of Hughes.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

Don't have any huge technical argument to make or anything.

He was the better prospect (you could even say by a lot) - and he's barely at the start of year 2. Way too soon to give up on him and pass him up.

I actually think very highly of Hughes. So this isn't a knock on him I just think Bedard ends up better.

no yeah was just wondering, before I went the direction of Hughes and still kinda do but imo u can't go wrong here at all.
only knock on Hughes is he gets hurt more often than I like but Bedard has some learning to do but I think in the end he has potential to become what Hughes currently is or better.

 

[Fatass]

Still Bedard. He's younger and doesn't have health problems. And even talent wise he's probably ahead of Hughes.

Other than shooting, what part of the game is Bedard ahead of Hughes?

 

[Kshahdoo]

Other than shooting, what part of the game is Bedard ahead of Hughes?

Isn't it enough? I mean Hughes the better skater, but I doubt it compensates the difference in shooting. And they are pretty close in everything else.

 

[Fatass]

Isn't it enough? I mean Hughes the better skater, but I doubt it compensates the difference in shooting. And they are pretty close in everything else.

Bedard shoots better. But his skating isn’t even close to Hughes. His play making is okay but not up to Hughes. His driving play is not up to Hughes. His defensive awareness, from the centre position, falls short of Hughes too. Imo Bedard should be playing Wing and transition, as he matures as a player, to centre.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Bedard shoots better. But his skating isn’t even close to Hughes. His play making is okay but not up to Hughes. His driving play is not up to Hughes. His defensive awareness, from the centre position, falls short of Hughes too. Imo Bedard should be playing Wing and transition, as he matures as a player, to centre.

I don't agree about playmaking, and as to driving, was Hughes that good at age 19? The same about defense. I'd say Bedard is way better right now than Hughes was at the same age.

 

[Regal]

I don't agree about playmaking, and as to driving, was Hughes that good at age 19? The same about defense. I'd say Bedard is way better right now than Hughes was at the same age.

Agree on playmaking. I think Bedard projects to be the better passer and has the higher offensive IQ. I do think Hughes was better at play driving and defensive play at the same age though, in part due to his skating. Hughes’ second year was actually pretty strong from a possession standpoint and he was already elite in transition despite being on a poor team. The scoring touch just wasn’t there yet. Bedard on the other hand is struggling to hold his own in possession, which is in part why his numbers aren’t there yet, but he’s still more productive at the same age despite that. Once he gets better at driving play his numbers should shoot up, though he may never be as strong there as Hughes

 

[Kshahdoo]

Agree on playmaking. I think Bedard projects to be the better passer and has the higher offensive IQ. I do think Hughes was better at play driving and defensive play at the same age though, in part due to his skating. Hughes’ second year was actually pretty strong from a possession standpoint and he was already elite in transition despite being on a poor team. The scoring touch just wasn’t there yet. Bedard on the other hand is struggling to hold his own in possession, which is in part why his numbers aren’t there yet, but he’s still more productive at the same age despite that.

Chicago is way worse than Devils ever were though so of course a young player who doesn't have a lot of support strugles in driving the play.

 

[Regal]

Chicago is way worse than Devils ever were though so of course a young player who doesn't have a lot of support strugles in driving the play.

The difference is too big to put it all on team though. The Devils were a 50% CF and 49% xGF team at 5v5 in Hughes’ sophomore year but Hughes was at 55% CF and 54% xGF. The Hawks over the past two years are a 44% CF and 43% xGF team over the past two years and Bedard has been basically the same at 43% CF and 44%xGF. We’ll see where he’s at at the end of the year, but so far he hasn’t improved if we look at the smaller sample of just this year. Considering it’s generally easier to improve a bad team than an average one, and I’d say Hughes was certainly a better possession player and play driver at the same age. The eye test backed that up as well imo. It doesn’t necessarily make him a better player then or long term but it’s an advantage.

 

[PainForShane]

Love both these players, I don't think you can really go wrong here. I also think it really depends on how close to competing your team is. Also FWIW I'm a neutral here (fmr AZ fan).

Jack Hughes is better right now, Bedard was such a good prospect and is also coming off a Calder win, that's not nothing. This year Bedard hasn't been great offensively in the few games I saw (all on TV), he hasn't consistently been getting into prime shooting areas. If / when he puts on 10-15 pounds and / or the Hawks get him actual linemates that all changes.

Assuming my team had absolutely nothing (which I think is assumed in your question), I... think I go Bedard...? Mostly because if we get him a playmaker or two I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up winning Rockets the same way Ovi did. To me, the offensive IQ combined with that shot is too good to pass up, but like everyone else he does need people to play off of. And playmakers are generally easier to find in the draft than goal scorers (very broad generalization).

Jack Hughes is great too though, wouldn't be surprised if he ends up one of the top 5-10 centers over the next decade or so, hard to pass up on a guy like that. Tough decision, but as a positive I don't think you can go wrong here, any team would love to have either of these players

 

[dirtydanglez]

still roll the dice on bedard. tough choice tho

 

[MakoSlade]

I don't agree about playmaking, and as to driving, was Hughes that good at age 19? The same about defense. I'd say Bedard is way better right now than Hughes was at the same age.

I watched Hughes often, and the second half of his age 19 season you could see the breakout. He was absolutely driving play, and it was very surprising the points weren't coming. I legit thought it must be a covid thing.

I haven't watched much of Bedard, but what I saw last year he looked very good for a rookie. I am not sure what is up this season, but these things happen. I can see this being a poll where the results change year to year.