Has Connor Bedard quietly became underrated ?

  • Work is still on-going to rebuild the site styling and features. Please report any issues you may experience so we can look into it. Click Here for Updates
To try to compare them is nonsensical because of the vast difference in how good they were at the same ages, no because of their linemates. There’s quite the gap between being 50-60th in the league in points and on pace for 20 something goals in a league where a few players can hit 60+, and then tying for 2nd in overall goals with an above average two-way game for a rookie center playing with rookie wingers (Hyman and Brown were also common linemates of his at ES and he didn’t even play with Marner at ES or on the powerplay) and also playing just over 17 minutes a night and 2:28 on the powerplay.

An above average defensively rookie center who comes 2nd in the NHL in goals with exclusively rookie wingers and 2nd line ice time and powerplay time should not be compared to someone who in their 2nd season will barely crack the top 50 in points or goals while being one of the worst players in the league defensively. Their draft status is the only reason this conversation exists for now.
Not looking at context of team scoring doesn't make any sense. Funny enough, this all arose because "CONTEXT" was brought up, but apparently only some context matters... in the most generalized sense of context, but specific and individualized context somehow does not? The league's scoring rate doesn't matter a whole lot when the rest of your team is filled with elevated 3rd liners. The burden of how much of a scoring load a teenager is asked to carry is a night and day situation. Bedard walking into a terrible situation producing at a similar rate as a high performing 1st overall that walked into about as perfect a situation as you could speaks very well for Bedard.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SimpleJack
Bedard, as the only legit threat, was easy to focus on and teams knew all they had to do was hold him down and the rest of the roster is trash. Still kinda that same issue rn only not quite as bad.

Young AM in the other hand had plenty of other teammates to help shoulder the load, opponents couldn’t just zero in on AM they had several other threats to worry about. Other lines to contain. Like I said before 5 guys with 60+ pts. It was a fairly deep and talented(mix of youth and vets) group of forwards.

Bedard performing and producing like he has without any Marners or Nylanders or Kadris to help take away some of the pressure and/or allow for easier matchups is very impressive.
 
Not looking at context of team scoring doesn't make any sense. Funny enough, this all arose because "CONTEXT" was brought up, but apparently only some context matters... in the most generalized sense of context, but specific and individualized context somehow does not? The league's scoring rate doesn't matter a whole lot when the rest of your team is filled with elevated 3rd liners. The burden of how much of a scoring load a teenager is asked to carry is a night and day situation. Bedard walking into a terrible situation producing at a similar rate as a high performing 1st overall that walked into about as perfect a situation as you could speaks very well for Bedard.

This would be relevant if the players were comparable. How is this even a thing? 🤣
 
Both players were highly touted #1OA rookie Cs, one put up 69 pts in 82 games, the other put up 61 pts in 68 games, and both won Calder.

Yet we can’t compare?
 
Both players were highly touted #1OA rookie Cs, one put up 69 pts in 82 games, the other put up 61 pts in 68 games, and both won Calder.

Yet we can’t compare?

That’s why, other than that there’s no comparison to be had until Bedard makes that jump into becoming an elite player.

And to be clear, I don’t doubt he will sooner than later.
 
That’s why, other than that there’s no comparison to be had until Bedard makes that jump into becoming an elite player.

And to be clear, I don’t doubt he will sooner than later.

But we’re comparing them as rookies I thought no? I mean obviously AM is better overall as of rn.
 
Both players were highly touted #1OA rookie Cs, one put up 69 pts in 82 games, the other put up 61 pts in 68 games, and both won Calder.

Yet we can’t compare?

Matthews finished 4 back of the Rocket as a rookie, Bedard was almost 50 goals behind the Rocket last year lmao

Kucherov and the boys literally doubled Bedard’s points per game
 
Yes :laugh:

Matthews was an undoubtedly far superior player as a rookie.

Nah, sry. Ur completely ignoring what’s been said to you several times now. He may have been better but it wasn’t “undoubtedly”, it’s definitely a worthy debate and saying it’s not and that they aren’t comparable because one was so far and away better than the other is just pure nonsense. I gotta say the level of ignorance and arrogance you’re displaying here is alarming. Must be a kid.

Matthews finished 4 back of the Rocket as a rookie, Bedard was almost 50 goals behind the Rocket last year lmao

Kucherov and the boys literally doubled Bedard’s points per game

Another poster completely ignoring all context. What a shock.
 
Bedard is absolutely an NHL superstar in the making. However I think his top absolute peak when everything falls into place is ~130. Not 150 or 160 like 97. His size, speed, and stickhandling isn't at McDavid level while skating. It's definitely the tier right after.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CallMeShaft
Bedard is absolutely an NHL superstar in the making. However I think his top absolute peak when everything falls into place is ~130. Not 150 or 160 like 97. His size, speed, and stickhandling isn't at McDavid level while skating. It's definitely the tier right after.

his skating is mediocre
 
Bedard is absolutely an NHL superstar in the making. However I think his top absolute peak when everything falls into place is ~130. Not 150 or 160 like 97. His size, speed, and stickhandling isn't at McDavid level while skating. It's definitely the tier right after.
This is fair. 130pts is still a lot.

It's unfair to compare him to McDavid, who will go down as one of the 5 best players in league history when he retires.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WhiskeyYerTheDevils
Bedard is absolutely an NHL superstar in the making. However I think his top absolute peak when everything falls into place is ~130. Not 150 or 160 like 97. His size, speed, and stickhandling isn't at McDavid level while skating. It's definitely the tier right after.

I think Bedard himself would take that. 130 points is a lot, especially for a player who has yet to hit PPG.
 
Bedard is absolutely an NHL superstar in the making. However I think his top absolute peak when everything falls into place is ~130. Not 150 or 160 like 97. His size, speed, and stickhandling isn't at McDavid level while skating. It's definitely the tier right after.
He's for sure a superstar in the making, but in terms of using that combo of elite size/skating and stick handling to weave through traffic, there are tons of players between McDavid and Bedard.

He's at least 1-2 tiers behind the guys like:

Hughes
Necas
Nylander
MacKinnon
Stutzle
Crosby
Bratt
Barzal


Bedard has some of the best mitts in the league, but he's just not a dynamic enough skater to dominate through traffic like some of the guys listed above.
 
A real talent, but a very disappointing player.
He had 80 points last season on a defensive minded team, that's pretty solid.

Unfortunately he hasn't had a ton of help in his career, and has played in really restrictive systems for the most part. Feels like he'd light it up on a team that plays a more open, up tempo game.
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad