Kicking off the list this year, to the surprise of no one, is the highly touted 17-year-old Connor Bedard. He has had all the buzz this past year and deservedly so. I don’t think a prospect has gotten this kind of attention since Connor McDavid.
Statistics
Pre-Draft Rankings
No. 1 (NA skaters) by NHL Central Scouting
No. 1 by TSN/Bob McKenzie (mid-season)
No. 1 by EliteProspects
No. 1 by The Athletic/Corey Pronman
No. 1 by FCHockey
What’s there to like?
I think when you’re talking about all the positives in Bedard’s game, you first have to recognize his wrist shot. The speed and accuracy alone are enough to make it one of the best in league, but it’s his ability to change the angle and direction that’s what really separates him from the rest. Next you move onto the rest of his offensive game and everything else is just as good. He’s a tremendous skater and has other-worldly stick handling abilities while going top speed.
So we know he has great physical talents, but what about the mental side? This is where it becomes evident that Bedard was born to be a hockey player. His hockey IQ is something that most NHLers would kill for. He is able to see plays develop three or four passes in advance, which makes him deadly on the power-play. Couple his high hockey IQ, wicked wrist shot, and great vision, and it’s no wonder why he had a 70 goal, 70 assist season in the WHL.
What’s not to like?
There’s really not much to write about in this category. Obviously his defense could use some work, but so does every other players’ in this draft. I’m not a believer in the “hockey players have to be big” narrative, but if you are his 5’10”, 185 pound frame may be a concern. If he wants to play center in the NHL I do think he will have to put on more muscle, and again become much more aware in his own zone. The points remains however, there isn’t a lot not to like about this kid.
How would he fit into the Flyers’ system?
I see Bedard playing one of the wings to start his NHL career and eventually making the move back to center. As far as line-mates go, I think putting him with Noah Cates and a guy like Owen Tippett would be pretty interesting. He’s going to need to be with someone who is a little more sound defensively, but also not totally inept in the offensive zone. Additionally, putting him with another scoring threat, gives him the versatility to read the play and make the right decision, while also keeping the opposing goalie on their toes.
Any team Bedard joins he instantly joins the number one power play and becomes a top six player. The Flyers are no exception to this and a player like Bedard is really what this organization has been longing for. Players like that just breathe so much life into a team and fan base, all while taking that role as the “face of the franchise”.
Can the Flyers actually get him?
Frankly there is about a .000001% chance of the Flyers getting Bedard. They would have to make some kind of blockbuster trade to acquire the top pick, after it was gifted to Chicago at the lottery. Since I don’t see this happening in the near future, I will join all fans from the 31 other teams around the league and count down the days until his rookie contract expires.
What the scouts are saying
“I suppose anything is possible, but when you look at how [Bedard] shoots the puck, his innate ability to score goals and you project him as an elite goal scorer who could very well get 50 or 60 in the NHL, how does a team picking first overall pass on that?” – Bob McKenzie (TSN)
“He has tremendous individual skill and creativity, while also being an elite passer and goal-scorer who can make highly skilled plays at an NHL pace. He’s the most imaginative player with the puck on the ice while also being a goal-scoring threat from the dots.” – Corey Pronman (The Athletic)
“He is already a world-class shooter with great feet who processes the game at an elite rate, he layers his puck skills and vision on top of one another to string plays together with the very best of them, and he has a competitive fire that keeps him engaged at all times.” – Nick Richard (Dobber Prospects)
No additions to the poll today! We’re down to four to choose from, and that’s what we’re going to stick with going forward. Don’t worry, we’ll meet someone new tomorrow.
