How Good Is Connor Bedard Actually? 

It’s official!

he maybe has another year at the juniors and even that’s a bit of a long shot.

Under no circumstances do I see Chicago releasing him to play another world junior tournament. The risk of injury is too great, the insurance premiums too steep and he will be too busy leading the team in scoring and driving their climb in the standings. This guy is gonna be worth a billion dollars to the Hawks over his career they're not gonna take any chances.

Kane is a future Hall of Famer. Nothing wrong with being compared to him

Kane has three Cup rings, but he was barely the best player on an erstwhile stacked Blackhawks team - and not as good as Crosby.

@@broadstreet21 best player on the hawks. And yeah no shit nobody would try to say he’s better than Crosby lol

@@MuhammadZegras Yeah, put him on, say, the Penguins (in place of Crosby) he'd look no different from Taylor Hall with the Oilers.

@@broadstreet21 that’s an insane take

I agree in general but comparing McDavid’s jr numbers to Bedard’s is not that simple. Besides the trend shifting to higher scoring over the past 7 years, it’s also always been considerably easier to score in the Wild West. The O is a MUCH tighter checking league. FWIW I think Western hockey is more exciting to watch. That also appears to carry into the NHL. The Western conference has a better tempo and the East more grinding. I think it’s in the air. Conservative New York mentality compared to a free wheeling California life style. 😊

yes amoung the under 18 current couch potato culture... hes not even in the 18+ juniors... super over rated and he wont make it. already had a broken wrist once...

was connor doing that in under 18 level? or over?

Bedard said he is more like a passer than shooter..but he just score so much.!

@@cardmansales9376 that broken wrist made him stronger hockey monster

The fact that Scott Wheeler is comparing him to 3 of the absolute best players in their time periods, future HOF and all 4 can claim a top10 ever spot -- to compare an sub-18 yr old with zero NHL games to those guys is enough to prove Scott Wheeler is wrong or at least jumping the gun. Give the kid a chance to play first before the negativity.

W

And they got him.

Exactly!...You can talk up a player till your blue in the face, and call him a Generational "Talent".....but the important thing is, will he actually end up being a Generational "Player"?? .....only way to know is after they've had at least several years in the NHL....

I don't think Bedard will belong in that category..He will be a 50 point season scorer kind of player which is still good.

@@marcovoyageur549 wrong. He will be PP monster! He will score 30+ PP points a year alone. He’s got a better shot/release than Ovechkin and a Gretzky like IQ/spatial awareness. Add in he’s got some sweet mitts…the weakest part of his game is his skating. The kid is solid for his size and is no stick man…he’s actually shredded for his age. If this kids skating improves he will be as good if not better than McDavid, Crosby and Ovie

@@marcovoyageur549i think you have total points mixed up with goals. He definitely hit 50 goals after a few years. His rookie year will be close to record breaking. Compare his numbers to all other generational players. He beats them all.

the weakest part of his game is that is not a playmaker like mcdavid crosby gretzky or lemieux but just a goal scorer like mattiews he will never win the hart trophy in the nhl with just goals l saw 6 match of the hawks and l didn t see a playmaker but a goals scorer the assist he has are not really pass but deflect shot from himself or return of the goalie after his shot not really a play made by himself sorry for my english it s not my first language @@wendellwinters4811

Connor.bedard.blackhawks.ok.

Yes. Yes he will.

I watched him in Lethbridge and he seems very lazy, usually the last guy to get back. Back checking is not part of his game

If you're talking about Marchand, that's not an underrated quality to have. That's just outright a negative characteristic.

auston*

I agree. Mathews is overrated. Great shot though.

@@mlucyk how is Matthews overrated? he scores like a machine off yr this yr even a off yr he will still get 40 goals so overrated lol. Matthews is the best player we ever had. The maple laughs/maple chokers are 💩not him.

generational shot maybe, but I dont think he is a generational player, more like a franchise player

@@allentam5754 He is talked about like he’s in McDavid’s class but year to year he barely finishes in the top ten in points.

They said the same thing about McDavid and Crosby. Your argument is getting old.

@@davidmccaig6647 I don't know how you took that as an argument. It's a valid concern for any player going into the NHL. I played for 14 years and when you step in with the bigger guys, they "welcome you ". I'm not here to argue, it's just a valid concern so you can take your comment elsewhere. McDavid and Crosby were bigger than Bedard.

@@theguywithone I did not play so I will defer to your experience.

What a dumb argument

Hope he does a boxing camp b4 he plays in the NHL boy gotta learn how to throw a punch 👊

(he's not retiring until he beats gretzky's all time goals record)

Toews might be the better answer.

Nailed it

I don't think that's a fix though, they were like third most likely to win the draft lottery.

Gibson/Dostal in net and a D core of Drysdale Zellweger Mintyukov Hinds Luneau etc…absolutely disgusting

@Matthew Kabel I don't think of these names as Stanley cup caliber. They need better defense with a little more experience. Goalies.. I mean with a better defense they might be able to pull it off. Just one defender with experience will boost their chances. Goalie wise Gibson is alright. Not sure if it's what I call franchise goalies .. but I guess he could do a decent job for the next 2-3years ? Dostal is a alright back up not great tho..

Give them Knight or Hart and they're set for a very long time with a excellent young core.

@@bigdaddyafterlifeqc9004 The sheer accrual of quality defensemen for Anaheim in addition to their elite talent up front won't lead to any issues in that regard. At the very worst all of Zellweger Mintyukov and Drysdale are top 4 D and at the best they can each reach top pairing caliber even if none of them emerge as a true #1D. I'm highest on Zellweger in particular. They have more defensive depth like Warren Helleson and LaCombe that they can use as trade chips to acquire more NHL ready talent when their contending window truly starts to come into play. I agree that the Ducks need more experience on the backend as Fowler is the only vet locked up. Gibby was an elite goalie for years when the Duck were competitive and even when they became bad in 2019 he was in the Vezina conversation for a lot of the year. Unfortunately the toll of facing 40-50 shots a night over the past has caught up with him and his value has decreased as a result. When Gibby's on he's lights out though. Dostal has actually been brilliant in the NHL except for one game vs Buffalo that brought down his save percentage 10 points(also worth noting that was his first game back with the big club in almost 2 months). He's so positionally sound and swift with his movements, he definitely has starter potential in my eyes. Anaheim also eyes Clang and Alexander in their system, any of those guys could possibly be a backup goalie should Anaheim find a way to deal Gibson

@@bigdaddyafterlifeqc9004 well most of them haven’t played an NHL game yet so that’s a pretty crazy assessment

he wont... hes already had a broken wrist... yes he pulls this crap at the under 18 level of play... hes not even in real juniors... hes in under 18... mark my words he will fail

​@@cardmansales9376 someone doesn't know what they're talking about. WHL is a U21 league not U18. He also put up 23 PTS in the U20 WORLD Juniors, more than Crosby and McDavid had Combined!

@@cardmansales9376many top players broke their wrist prior to nhl and have stated it helped them out more than it brought them down. There is no way he will fail.

Then this first overall doubtful

McDavid in this recent season proved he can score

@@wewilldie1505 True, but the majority of McDavid's points are still from assists. Maybe Bedard will be capable of scoring 70+ per season?

@@user-yg1dg6xm2g He won't be walking the NHL defensemen like he is in juniors because his speed isn't good enough. He'll also be facing NHL goaltenders. I think 70 is a stretch.

@@davemason4055 McDavid's best OHL season was 44 goals in 47 games. Bedard currently has 53 goals in 44 games.

​@@user-yg1dg6xm2g That translates to how well he will do in the NHL? Tavares, Lecavalier, Bossy all outscored Mcdavid in the CHL, don't pretend they're also better than McDavid. Maybe McDavid is pushing himself harder on the stage that actually matters.

You may be right. Because of his size and speed he'll need a good cast around him and that's unlikely for at least a few years.

If mcdavid can survive Edmonton, bedard can thrive in Anaheim

I felt like I was the only one to think this. He’s too reliant on hit shot through defensive legs. In the nhl the gap control is too good to rely on that. He isn’t a mcdavid and I think he will be disappointing compared to his hype. Still going to be a good player just not one go the best imo

@@Mehole29

I agree with you..............too soft.............I think he believes all the hype

People in here talking like Bedard is in his 10th NHL Season. He can shoot ? We shall see, when NHL players are checking him and NHL Goalies are use to world class snipers every single day.

Tell that to Wheeler who says his shot isn't like Ovechkin's. If anything, it MIGHT be better. And having a lower centre of gravity than McDavid, it won't be hard for him to be faster. It's his two-way ability that has a question mark - his limited size detracts his two-way play. But then again, if Cale Makar can be a force on defense, why not Bedard?

Bedard will only pass him when age slow McDavid down. McDavid's speed is the killer and Bedard, while very skilled, has average speed.

@@davemason4055 yeah but he has a much better shot than McDavid and Crosbys edges, and he is a great playmaker

@@lukasbrand1848 that's the same shit they said about Lafrenier or whatever his name is. Lets see how his play translates at the NHL level first.

​@@broadstreet21 According to the quote, Wheeler was talking about the combination of power and a good shot. And because of the size of Bedard, he can't probably play this power forward role. But in my opinion, he will be better than Ovechkin overall cause he has many other tools in his bag. At the end of the day, it all comes down to the classic "he's too small for the NHL" which is often not true.

No, because Quebec would select him rather than deal with the Lindros bulls***.

Lol no chance

Likely Bedard-Laine, and someone else. Gaudreau will be well past his prime and his height doesn’t make things much better

The worst thing is he's going to get picked by the goddamn worst team best player worst team

Or Kent Johnson… they grew up nearby and played on in-line hockey team together

@@justisjohansen1989 Every (well almost) top player is drafted by a bad team. That's why some turn out to be busts. They have amazing skills compared to players who will likely never play an NHL game, but in the big league they need a supporting cast that isn't there. That's when you see if they are truly the best.

@@davemason4055 yes sir I, know it just sucks for that player

Chicago.ok.

Almost all the best shooters have been right handed right shots. Brett Hull, Ovechkin, Stamkos, Kovalchuk, Laine. Bedard has a better shot at 17 than McDavid does at 26.

@@michaelshields6326 Thank you for proving my point. Ovechkin.....Hull.....and many other right hand shooters are actually left handed. Do your homework young man. Strong hand on top of stick is the hockey Bible.

@@matt75hooper Ovechkin is an odd one actually. Writes with his right hand. Throws a ball with his left hand. Bats and shoots right handed. So he's more ambidextrous. I was wrong about Hull. However, of the top 25 goal scorers in NHL history, 15 are right handed shots. Hull and Kurri are the only ones who are naturally left handed. So 13 out of the top 25 goal scorers in history are right handed and right shooting. So do your homework bud. There is no right or wrong way, just whatever you feel is most natural is how you play.

@@michaelshields6326 I was hoping I wouldnt have to school you into submission. I am an expert in this arena with 50+ years of Hockey experience. Ambidextrous players actually have a dominant side- sometimes slight, sometimes very dominant. That side is their lefty side. Do you play ? Grab your stick and slow motion take a mocked slapshot, wrist shot, snap shot and then a backhander. You will note - strong hand on top players will be perfectly balanced on their STRONG SIDE leg performing these shots. Weak hand on top will also be balanced on their weaker leg. Poke Checks. I assume you are right handed playing with a righty stick. When you poke check & sweep check you use your weak hand to perform these tasks. I could go on for hours but take this test & be honest : How do you hold : A shovel ? A broom ? A power washer ? I pitch fork ? A Fishing Gaff ? A rake ? A rifle ? A pool stick ? These and 100 others- you hold them with your strong hand on top. Then why would you hold your Hockey Stick backwards ? Considering the dexterous skills needed to play elite hockey ? Can it be overcome ? Yes. Of course. But it requires 5x the effort and that player will never attain the heights they would have if they played strong hand on top. Bobby Hull & son Brett Hull. One tiny example. Bobby Hull was right handed shot Lefty. Brett is left handed shoots Righty. Recently working with the Bruins scouts I used a few tiny examples : All the right hand shots in the Bruins all time assist leader list- are all left handed. Cashman...Middleton..O'Reilly...Neely..Oates..etc etc etc. As are the newer Bruin stars, David Pastrnak & Bergeron. Remember the fearsome right hand shooter Shawn Thornton & Chris Nilan ? Left handed. Your assertion about the top 25 scoring leaders does not take in to consideration Ambidextrous players who actually ( for argument sake) Left handed. No doubt a few are. Years & years ago at a Skinner Camp- someone challenged me on Ovechkin. I accepted the bet on merely seeing him do drills. He is left hand dominant. I won the bet. Have you not asked yourself- ever ? Why most of the players in the NHL are lefty shooters ? Because they are right handed. The greatest hockey line ever assembled- Red Army's Red Line. All 5 left hand shooters.

@@matt75hooper You're not schooling anyone into submission. The numbers speak for themselves.None of the players on that list are ambidextrous, a large percentage of the top goal scorers are right handed right shots. People play whatever way is comfortable. I personally do not hold a shovel with my dominant hand on top and neither do many other people I know. The fact that you are so dogmatic about this is hilarious. Mario Lemieux was a right handed right shot my guy.I think he was an ok player. Nathan MacKinnon also a right handed right shot. I can go on and on. The general rule is whatever way feels natural for you when you pick up a stick is what you should go with. It's as simple as that. 50 years of experience in hockey yet you think McDavid has a better shot than Bedard when anyone with eyes can clearly see who has the better shot.

LOL All the comments in here sound like a Dad talking about their little leaguer pitching a 2 hitter.