How Bedard is becoming face of NHL

[joestevens29]

Checked out a local sports clothing story yesterday here in Edmonton.

Outside of Oiler players I don't think there was another jersey they had more of in any sport. Chicago has always had a decent following here in Edmonton, but never saw that many jersey's of a non-oiler before. Should've asked if they are actually selling them though lol

 

[Jumptheshark]

Hyped Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard has the NHL ready for takeoff

The NHL has its guy. Now, with highly touted rookie Connor Bedard in the fold, it must capitalize.

sports.yahoo.com

So many Bedard jerseys sold before the draft, Fanatics had to halt sales (and not because they'd run out).

Part of this is because the the hyped guys are playing in Canada

 

[joelef]

Part of this is because the the hyped guys are playing in Canada

The problem is that they aren’t even hyped

 

[Jumptheshark]

The problem is that they aren’t even hyped

In Canada they are. Stateside? No

 

[Jets4Life]

Part of this is because the the hyped guys are playing in Canada

What does Bedard playing in Canada have to do with anything? If Bedard was American, chances are he would be more heavily promoted to the public.

 

[joelef]

What does Bedard playing in Canada have to do with anything? If Bedard was American, chances are he would be more heavily promoted to the public.

No he wouldn’t

 

[StreetHawk]

Nhl and the team can plaster his face everywhere but in the end to actually draw new interest it’s really going to come down to whether he has any personality or presence when he talks.

Look at the nfl now where guys like the Kelce brothers are killing it with their podcast, one a TE the other a C which no one would normally care about but he’s got his own personality of a big lug, tough, yet funny, knows he has no style and leans into it with his fashion. Trendy, goofy, brother. McAfee a former P and what he’s done.

Can Bedard lean into who he is and still connect with people? If he’s another McDavid who doesn’t show much to a national audience it’s not going to sell.

 

[GrumpyKoala]

Hot take, he will never be a consensus top 3 player in the league. Very good, Not generational

 

[93LEAFS]

It's a similar situation to Matthews. He went to a major market. Any prodigy that lands in a market like Toronto, Chicago, LA, MTL, or NYC is gonna have a head start. Now, I don't think Bedard is Laf, but if Laf came close to Matthews or Eichel he would be a one of the faces of the league. You don't need to be in one like McDavid or Crosby, but those places will always bring you extra attention if you are a tier below them. Maybe not quite to the same level, but Boston, DC, or Flyers would also be massive boons for a young player to land in.