Prospect Info: Connor Bedard - 2023 1st - C, Regina

[Pez68]

Might as well get this started. Let's get some video, and some discussion going here.

Hawks will bring in a top line winger to play with him. They have to spend cap space anyway. They will have an exciting top line and power play, but still be terrible, by giving up a shitload of goals. Should be an entertaining season.

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[jls24]

I hear he has an above average shot.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Heard about his shot, stayed away from his highlight videos because i didn't want to get too excited only for him to go to some other team. What a f***in treat it'll be to watch him

 

[Kevin Musto]

The world isn't ready for Bedard and Nazar to tear up the league

 

[MTU34]

They’re going to have to bring in some semblance of talent to insulate him. Nothing crazy as we shouldn’t want this process rushed but there needs to be more for him to work with next year. I’d also start him on the wing. It’ll ease his transition a bit

 

[Rick C137]

This is a beautiful thread to see on the front page of HF hawks

 

[Dominance]

As a brand-new die-hard Blackhawks fan, I see we have multiple firsts in each of the next several drafts. Do you long-time fans think it would be better to stay the course, or start dealing immediately for a quality youngster to hopefully become Bedard’s star linemate?

 

[AmericanDream]

He had a full beard by the age of 10....

 

[Dominance]

They’re going to have to bring in some semblance of talent to insulate him. Nothing crazy as we shouldn’t want this process rushed but there needs to be more for him to work with next year. I’d also start him on the wing. It’ll ease his transition a bit

I’ve watched Bedard live a ton the last three years, and I am a believer that it is possible for him to reach McDavid levels. That said, he needs to play next year on the wing. What quality centre should the Hawks target?

 

[CokenoPepsi]

Might as well get this started. Let's get some video, and some discussion going here.

Hawks will bring in a top line winger to play with him. They have to spend cap space anyway. They will have an exciting top line and power play, but still be terrible, by giving up a shitload of goals. Should be an entertaining season.

A top line winger you say...but who? not alot out there this year (outside the obvious Kane but that's another discussion)

 

[Pez68]

They’re going to have to bring in some semblance of talent to insulate him. Nothing crazy as we shouldn’t want this process rushed but there needs to be more for him to work with next year. I’d also start him on the wing. It’ll ease his transition a bit

I'm guessing, Bedard, Reichel, and a veteran forward that can play C/W will be the top line. Max Domi makes a ton of sense, but there are other options, too. Hawks will still be bad, but have an exciting first line, and power play. Which is perfect.

 

[MTU34]

I’ve watched Bedard live a ton the last three years, and I am a believer that it is possible for him to reach McDavid levels. That said, he needs to play next year on the wing. What quality centre should the Hawks target?

They won’t be blowing assets on bringing in a top quality center (especially considering Bedard is going to be that guy in the near future). I think Max Domi makes a lot of sense. Serviceable as a top 6 center and he absolutely loved his time here. There’s been rumors that there was mutual interest in him returning as well. Outside of that I think you’re looking at guys like Tatar, ERod, and Compher as placeholders in the top 6

 

[Toews2Bickell]

Scouting report: Looked off McDavid on a 2 on 1 at a summer league last year per Kane...Went to Hawaii at age 10 with all his hockey gear because why would he vacation...Has heartbreaker celly down pat...might score 50 as a rookie...Kane's clutch gene, Matthews shot, McDavid's hockey lab personality

 

[Callidusblackhawk]

I'm guessing, Bedard, Reichel, and a veteran forward that can play C/W will be the top line. Max Domi makes a ton of sense, but there are other options, too. Hawks will still be bad, but have an exciting first line, and power play. Which is perfect.

Yeah a skilled grinder or power forward type would be ideal for them as a linemate. Domi certainly fits that mold.

 

[MTU34]

I'm guessing, Bedard, Reichel, and a veteran forward that can play C/W will be the top line. Max Domi makes a ton of sense, but there are other options, too. Hawks will still be bad, but have an exciting first line, and power play. Which is perfect.

I’d actually split Reichel and Bedard for now. I think Reichel is a great fit next to him moving forward, but at least for next year I’d prefer them on the wing on separate lines to insulate them a bit. Maybe a top 9 that looks something like:
Tatar-Domi-Bedard
Reichel-ERod-Compher
Kurashev-Johnson-Raddysh

 

[Toews2Bickell]

 

[Mrfenn92]

As a brand-new die-hard Blackhawks fan, I see we have multiple firsts in each of the next several drafts. Do you long-time fans think it would be better to stay the course, or start dealing immediately for a quality youngster to hopefully become Bedard’s star linemate?

Welcome to the short pier. Stay the course for now. Give him a center option and let them play and develop organizationally

 

[Toews2Bickell]

.

 

[Taze em]

Bedard, Korchinski have superstar PNHLe
Reichel and Nazar 1st line PNHLe. The cupboard is full before we even pick a million times in this draft.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

 

[Kreator]

Patty Kane is his floor.

 

[Dominance]

Welcome to the short pier. Stay the course for now. Give him a center option and let them play and develop organizationally

Okay, that made my evening. Well delivered.

Five picks in the top-60, in this crazy draft? This will be fun to follow.

 

[Mrfenn92]

Okay, that made my evening. Well delivered.

Five picks in the top-60, in this crazy draft? This will be fun to follow.

I know what you were saying in the prospect thread and I do enjoy reading your opinions fyi.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

this shot sheesh

 

[Dominance]

I know what you were saying in the prospect thread and I do enjoy reading your opinions fyi.

You’re a kinder man than I, after that.

Now that the emotions have cooled a bit, I’m amped up. I’ve been a Pens fan all my adult life because of Crosby - but now that that team is in decline and he is slowing down, I was finding it hard to get excited as a Pens fan this year.

Perfect timing to switch allegiances and get invested in a team rebuilding from scratch with the next Next One who I’ve been watching play live for years. GO HAWKS!