Who is this Bedard guy?

[McShogun99]

This is how I kind of see it as well. But I'll wait and see before I really make judgment. Way too many players with the 'generational' tag it seems [cough TSN cough...Matthews, Hughes, Laf]

IMO, if youre a generational talent, you make an immediate impact to your team [ie. point per game as an 18 yr old rookie] even if they arent winning it all; if you 'develop' into a ppg player after a few years-as in not ppg right from getgo, youre just an elite level talent, not generational.

Bedard has been on the scouting radar since he was a kid, similar to generational players like Mcdavid and Crosby. He'll most likely be the best player in the NHL during his prime since Mcdavid will decline with age but I doubt he'll put up numbers better then Mcdavid's best season over the course of their careers.

 

[GMofOilers]

Bedard has been on the scouting radar since he was a kid, similar to generational players like Mcdavid and Crosby. He'll most likely be the best player in the NHL during his prime since Mcdavid will decline with age but I doubt he'll put up numbers better then Mcdavid's best season over the course of their careers.

Yup, Hockeynews nailed it in 2018 while he was playing u15 as a 13 year old and took home the scoring title in the csshl.

Meet the future of hockey, 13-year-old Connor Bedard

He's drawing comparisons to Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. Agents are already knocking on his door. And he looks bound for exceptional status in the WHL. Connor Bedard is the next phenom whose name you should know.

thehockeynews.com

 

[GMofOilers]

2 points 2 shifts against the Swedes

 

[NeverForget06]

Bedard has been on the scouting radar since he was a kid, similar to generational players like Mcdavid and Crosby. He'll most likely be the best player in the NHL during his prime since Mcdavid will decline with age but I doubt he'll put up numbers better then Mcdavid's best season over the course of their careers.

Agreed, I've got a feeling there will be a few more seasons of scoring going up and then the pendulum will swing back to the dead puck/Jamie Benn winning the Ross era

 

[frag2]

Bedard has been on the scouting radar since he was a kid, similar to generational players like Mcdavid and Crosby. He'll most likely be the best player in the NHL during his prime since Mcdavid will decline with age but I doubt he'll put up numbers better then Mcdavid's best season over the course of their careers.

Oh I'm not doubting the possibility. It's just that the last few hyped up prospects have been just that, hype. Tempering expectations if you will. Would love to have a Western kid as the next best thing.

 

[RipsADrive]

I don't want to be like that Crosby contingent who refused to give McDavid credit for anything as he broke into the league.

I'd be shocked if Bedard surpasses McDavid but he's been sensational at the WJHCs. Couldn't ask for a whole lot more from one of these "next one" prospects.

 

[KCC]

He is a hybrid of McDavid and matthews imo.

 

[GMofOilers]

Hoo Hum just another 4 point game, ties Lindros all time Canada record.

If only he could do it against tougher competition.....

 

[McFlyingV]

28 games in the CHL he was a tiny bit better. The last 15 games not as good. Ok we going to ignore the WJC in their draft years? Your the one using small sample sizes to conclude the better year?

I just cant wrap my head around better stats at the same age

I mean McDavid had 43 points in his last 15 games before he broke his hand before the world juniors. He came back for the world juniors after 6 weeks off with a broken hand and originally had some question marks if he'd even be ready to play in the work juniors. Not that I care much about the WJC, there's plenty of elite performances there that never translated. Its a tournament with very little preparation and players you don't normally play with. Its a small measuring stick but nothing more.

I don't know what you can't understand. My original post was in response to someone who said Bedard had better stats than McDavid at the same age. He doesn't in their draft years to date. You can't refute that, its fact. Maybe that will change, but I doubt it. Regardless, I don't think he will end up the same talent McDavid is at the NHL level. I do think he's the best prospect after McDavid since Crosby however, and will be a special player at the NHL level. I just don't think he'll be McDavid's equal.

 

[Oilhawks]

Just have to shake my head at Oilers “fans” trying to pump up Bedard over McDavid. Lmao these boards.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Just have to shake my head at Oilers “fans” trying to pump up Bedard over McDavid. Lmao these boards.

Its pretty incredibly disgusting. Thats exactly what I was calling out.

Aside from that this is a weak ass Juniors tournament. None other than Canada seem particularly strong. Russia not in makes an impact alone but this Finnish team stinks, the US lost an early game, Canada lost a game, Sweden lost a game. Its hard to spot who the other good teams are. When Czechs are that other team doesn't it speak to the weakness of the tournament? Seems like a lot of national sides are at a lower point in Junior development. Quality of play has been pretty awful outside of Canada and even some of that has been hit and miss.

Bedard is excelling against a low standard of World Juniors *competition*. Sweden played one good game all tournament. They don't like much either. really I'd relegate most of these national sides and there would be few left.

 

[GMofOilers]

Its pretty incredibly disgusting. Thats exactly what I was calling out.

Aside from that this is a weak ass Juniors tournament. None other than Canada seem particularly strong. Russia not in makes an impact alone but this Finnish team stinks, the US lost an early game, Canada lost a game, Sweden lost a game. Its hard to spot who the other good teams are. When Czechs are that other team doesn't it speak to the weakness of the tournament? Seems like a lot of national sides are at a lower point in Junior development. Quality of play has been pretty awful outside of Canada and even some of that has been hit and miss.

Bedard is excelling against a low standard of World Juniors *competition*. Sweden played one good game all tournament. They don't like much either. really I'd relegate most of these national sides and there would be few left.

Weird only Bedard is exceling against a low standard of World Juniors competition.

 

[EnufAlready]

Weird only Bedard is exceling against a low standard of World Juniors competition.

Everyone there is total shit. Happens all the time…..those 9 1st rounders on team Canada are all trash too. Its a shit tourny. Should
probably just cancel it all together.

 

[Oilhawks]

Everyone there is total shit. Happens all the time…..those 9 1st rounders on team Canada are all trash too. Its a shit tourny. Should
probably just cancel it all together.

I think it’s pretty fair to have the opinion that this is a bit of a watered down tourney. Russia being out on its own is enough to say that. Even Germany has been better in recent years but is a free bingo spot for everyone except the actual worst team that has no business being there at all (Austria).

People like to overrate players at these tourneys. You never know how someone is going to adjust to the NHL game, particularly below average size players or slow skaters (obviously Bedard is not slow but he is on the smaller side). Junior production is a good predictor but no sure bet.

Personally, I think Bedard will be an elite player and a top 10 forward in the league after he settles in, likely a top 5 one in his prime, with ease. But the generational tag is thrown around so much that it’s lost all meaning anyhow so maybe he’ll be generational in the way the media likes to bandy it about (Matthews etc). There were some that wondered if McDavid would be nearly as transcendent (offensively) as he has been, so who knows, maybe Bedard will prove doubters wrong as well.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Weird only Bedard is exceling against a low standard of World Juniors competition.

What teams other than Canada are quality at the World Juniors? You called Sweden stiff opposition the other day. For who? Belarus? Its a shitty tournament this year. Normally there would be US, Russia, Finland and stronger Sweden teams to compete with among others. Except Russia isn't there, Finland and Sweden are the dogs breakfast and the US has had trouble estblishing as well. The teams don't look very good and the quality of play poor. The only decent opponent Canada faced was the Czechs who beat us and they're not that much either.

Take out Canada's one loss and they are 24-3 in goal differential for an average score of 8-1. The games have been defining lack of competition. Nobody having trouble scoring against pretty bad opposition.

Your comment despite Bedard having 6 goals and Canada having multiple players with 4 and 3 goals who are all potting, and not having much difficulty doing it. Of course Bedard has a lot of assists as he gets a lot of toi and all plays are going through him. Which is not to say Canada would be incapable without him. Not the impression I'm getting. Theres several very good players on Team Canada, a stacked lineup.

 

[EnufAlready]

I think it’s pretty fair to have the opinion that this is a bit of a watered down tourney. Russia being out on its own is enough to say that. Even Germany has been better in recent years but is a free bingo spot for everyone except the actual worst team that has no business being there at all (Austria).

People like to overrate players at these tourneys. You never know how someone is going to adjust to the NHL game, particularly below average size players or slow skaters (obviously Bedard is not slow but he is on the smaller side). Junior production is a good predictor but no sure bet.

Personally, I think Bedard will be an elite player and a top 10 forward in the league after he settles in, likely a top 5 one in his prime, with ease. But the generational tag is thrown around so much that it’s lost all meaning anyhow so maybe he’ll be generational in the way the media likes to bandy it about (Matthews etc). There were some that wondered if McDavid would be nearly as transcendent (offensively) as he has been, so who knows, maybe Bedard will prove doubters wrong as well.

And I agree with you on the Bedard aspect. Not sure how he shakes out in all this. His size doesn't “help”as an NHLer. But he's a Western Canadian kid putting on a show for the second year in a row at the World Jr Championships, all the while doing it being one of the youngest guys there. Its special.

Someone started a Bedard thread on the Oiler forum, not me…lol

I for one, am super excited for the kid and Canadian hockey. I wont look for reasons to discredit him, not saying you are.

Go Canada!!!!

 

[GMofOilers]

What teams other than Canada are quality at the World Juniors? You called Sweden stiff opposition the other day. For who? Belarus? Its a shitty tournament this year. Normally there would be US, Russia, Finland and stronger Sweden teams to compete with among others. Except Russia isn't there, Finland and Sweden are the dogs breakfast and the US has had trouble estblishing as well. The teams don't look very good and the quality of play poor. The only decent opponent Canada faced was the Czechs who beat us and they're not that much either.

Take out Canada's one loss and they are 24-3 in goal differential for an average score of 8-1. The games have been defining lack of competition. Nobody having trouble scoring against pretty bad opposition.

Your comment despite Bedard having 6 goals and Canada having multiple players with 4 and 3 goals who are all potting, and not having much difficulty doing it. Of course Bedard has a lot of assists as he gets a lot of toi and all plays are going through him. Which is not to say Canada would be incapable without him. Not the impression I'm getting. Theres several very good players on Team Canada, a stacked lineup.

Bedard played against a pick that is trying to challenge him for 1st overall last night. Hes a hell of a player and noticeable at times, but Bedard is so far ahead of him its crazy.

Bedard plays with another guy trying to challenge him for #1, yeah hes miles behind also.

Bedard also plays with a current NHLer in Guenther who has already dominated junior and has .5ppg in the NHL as a rookie this year. Well Bedard has a 12 point lead over him, they even play on the same PP.

This no competition is crazy talk. So why does Bedard have a 10 point lead in scoring after only 4 games? All these other players are getting the same competition.

What Bedard is doing in this tourney hasnt been seen in a very very long time, you should actually enjoy watching history.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Bedard played against a pick that is trying to challenge him for 1st overall last night. Hes a hell of a player and noticeable at times, but Bedard is so far ahead of him its crazy.

Bedard plays with another guy trying to challenge him for #1, yeah hes miles behind also.

Bedard also plays with a current NHLer in Guenther who has already dominated junior and has .5ppg in the NHL as a rookie this year. Well Bedard has a 12 point lead over him, they even play on the same PP.

This no competition is crazy talk. So why does Bedard have a 10 point lead in scoring after only 4 games? All these other players are getting the same competition.

What Bedard is doing in this tourney hasnt been seen in a very very long time, you should actually enjoy watching history.

Meh. The World Juniors stopped being appointment TV years ago and the indifference has just grown through all the hockey Canada and Juniors scandals. Give a f*** was at a peak just months ago and is still the main reaction. I didn't even watch last night and didn't care to. Whereas at some time maybe a Canada Sweden would be dramatic I didn't sense any leading into this game.

The whole tournament is a trainwreck designed by idiots. Play several group games just to eliminate one team so that even teams like Germany advance despite getting blown out and blown up Canada and Czechs. lol that Sweden had all kinds of trouble with Germany.

Theres really little point at all watching any of the group games. They just don't matter because only one team being eliminated.

What they should go with is 3 teams from each group advance. Top place team in either group gets a bye, simple as pie. The way they do have it structured only one of the round of 8 games looks to be even remotely competitive.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

This no competition is crazy talk. So why does Bedard have a 10 point lead in scoring after only 4 games? All these other players are getting the same competition.

What Bedard is doing in this tourney hasnt been seen in a very very long time, you should actually enjoy watching history.

because he's the best player on Team Canada and he's an elite player...no one is arguing that

but this is 100% a watered-down Tournament...arguably the 2nd best team in the World isn't there (Russia) and dogs like Austria are because of this

 

[GMofOilers]

Enjoy watching history from a 17 year old guys, really it hasnt been done in a long long time. Enjoy.

 

[ehhteen]

Just my two cents.

As a prospect, Bedard is hyped around McDavid level talent.

Remains to be seen if he can be equal or better than McDavid once he makes it in the NHL. Bedard is putting up insane numbers in both junior and the WJHC. McDavid is putting up those numbers in the NHL going up against every NHL team doing everything in their power to shut him down.

McDavid has basically been the best player in the NHL since his 2nd season in the NHL. In my opinion, I don’t see Bedard taking over the mantle as best NHL player for awhile. We are just now in McDavid’s prime years.

With that, Bedard is very fun to watch and he looks to be a great player for years to come if he reaches his potential.

 

[GMofOilers]

Well it took him 6 mins to break the all time Canada scoring and points record.

Also broke Jagrs record for most points as a 17 year old in IHHF u20 history.

Not bad, next up Forsberg? Would be tough.

 

[Moregoalspls]

I'm kind of getting jagr vibes from him. Maybe I'm wrong, my memory sucks

 

[brentashton]

Was he distracted in that intermission interview?, because well, you know…

 

[nexttothemoon]

Gretzky
Lemieux
Orr
McDavid

That's the top 4 all time.

I don't think McDavid will rise above any of those above him.

Chances that Bedard gets into the top 5 is likely low as well... but who knows... he could be a phenomenal NHL player as well and likely still has a lot more upside to show beyond what he's shown in Junior.