With the way both players are developing, is it possible that some fans or even organizations might prefer Juraj Slafkovský over Connor Bedard if they were in the same draft class?
Bedard, despite his undeniable talent, hasn't quite met the sky-high expectations placed on him before the 2023 draft. Even former NHL coach Bruce Boudreau recently said that teams don’t necessarily "fear" him on the ice. Meanwhile, Slafkovský, after a slower start to his career, is now making a significant impact in Montreal. His play in the second half of this season has been dominant, and his physical presence, combined with his growing confidence, has made him a key player for the Canadiens.
Considering that the 2022 draft was viewed as one of the weaker ones and the 2023 draft as one of the strongest, does Slafkovský’s development change the perception of his value compared to Bedard? Would fans or organizations now prefer the power forward from 2022 over the generational talent from 2023? Let’s discuss.
Bedard, despite his undeniable talent, hasn't quite met the sky-high expectations placed on him before the 2023 draft. Even former NHL coach Bruce Boudreau recently said that teams don’t necessarily "fear" him on the ice. Meanwhile, Slafkovský, after a slower start to his career, is now making a significant impact in Montreal. His play in the second half of this season has been dominant, and his physical presence, combined with his growing confidence, has made him a key player for the Canadiens.
Considering that the 2022 draft was viewed as one of the weaker ones and the 2023 draft as one of the strongest, does Slafkovský’s development change the perception of his value compared to Bedard? Would fans or organizations now prefer the power forward from 2022 over the generational talent from 2023? Let’s discuss.