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.