Has Connor Bedard quietly became underrated ?

[Blue and Green]

He was very good tonight. Looked better defensively. Wait until his goal scoring really kicks into high gear, which didn't happen last season.

 

[Crow]

Awesome play tonight both with and without the puck.

Probably the best defensive effort of his career.

 

[jonlin]

Awesome play tonight both with and without the puck.

Probably the best defensive effort of his career.

It might help playing with Teräväinen? TT probably teaches him something about defending. Was a very good call by Hawks to bring TT back and he&Bedard look good together.

 

[nbwingsfan]

I watched many of the games and i saw some one playing 6-7 of pp time and 23 mins of toi as a rookie forward who cant take a hit.

I saw a guy who was being overly sheltered wkth only O-Zone.

He had Hall and Perry

Foligno dint have a better personal season because of Bedard but because he played more mins than before.

The same Corey Perry who had 25pts the season prior?

The same Corey Perry who only played 16 games?

The same Taylor Hall who only played 9.5 games?

LOLLL

 

[POVERTY]

He had Hall and Perry

 

[JaegerDice]

As a whole product, he’s neither overrated or underrated yet.

Elements of his game are underrated due to the focus on his absurd shot, tho.

 

[the valiant effort]

At the end of the day, who doesn’t tally 3 pts a game vs Edmonton in October? #NotConvinced

 

[ozzie]

Off to a great start and the team is overall better than last year. He also has some early chemistry with players who can actually skate well.

Chicago fans are in for an exciting season, maybe even remain in the playoff race until near the end of the season.

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Last night was a statement. Mcdavids reign is coming to an end. Bedard will start to take over now

 

[Acallabeth]

Comparing the raw numbers is the opposite of disingenuous. Its the numbers.

OK, why don't you compare Bedard's junior stats to McDavid's pro stats to make Bedard look more impressive?

 

[PainForShane]

You think Bedard could be on Gordie Howe's level and you're calling me the Internet clown?

This will be a fun thread to bump in a few years, just like those Shane Wright threads.

I think it's too early to tell either way. Because the kid is 19 ie just started his career. That's the main point I've been making.

Due to the way the discussion unfolded, the secondary point I've been making is around some posters (one in particular) who for some reason continues to make dishonest and / or irrelevant arguments about this. Says more about the poster(s) than it ever will about Bedard.

 

[jigglysquishy]

Caught a bit of the game last night. His offensive IQ is off the charts.

He already looks much stronger on the puck that last year.

 

[BKarchitect]

I think what he did last year with the collection of players around him was underrated. And he looks even better, naturally, to start his second season.

I don’t think in the grand scheme of things he’s underrated - the hype has been around forever and the NHL wants nothing more than for a new superstar to come along.

I do think as with all players who clearly have *it* at the highest level, it becomes somewhat fashionable and “clever” to take an opposing stance to the perceived greatness - either by doing some statistical tap-dancing, saying “well people are acting like he’s a god and I saw him with a sloppy turnover and no points last night!” or doing the comp game of “just wait until player X arrives you all will be eating your words that Bedard is the best!” even though player X is even less “proven”. Basically, it’s fun to be the obtuse contrarian.

The truth is Bedard is hitting all the extremely high but within reason markers, if not surpassing them, thus far in his career. It’s great for him, it’s great as a fan and it’s great for the league and sport.

 

[Brookbank]

There's been a lot of comments questioning how good he is right now. And how there's a long list of players who are better right now.

Just an observation. He was the best player on the ice last night , against McDavid and Draisitle. Obviously it won't always be that way but it just shows , that's an element of him being underrated by some. Who seem to think he will need 2 years to get up to speed.