Analysts Doubt Connor Bedard Can Keep Up With The Greats In his 1st season
There is a lot of buzz surrounding Connor Bedard as he is projected to be the top pick in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft in 2023. He is considered to be a generational talent, but like any player, his success will be influenced by the team that selects him.
It appears likely that he will end up with the Chicago Blackhawks, who hold the first overall pick. However, if he does join the team, it may take some time for him to reach his full potential.
Many rookies have averaged a point per game in their first season, but only a select few have achieved the level of success that players like Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Matthew Barzal, and Evgeni Malkin have experienced.
Bedard's supporting cast may also hinder his success as he will not have the benefit of playing alongside players like Patrick Kane or Jonathan Toews.
Instead, he will have to rely on teammates like Seth Jones, Andreas Athanasious, Jason Dickinson, Tyler Johnson, and Jonathan Toews on the 1st power-play unit. The 2nd unit is also lacking in talent with players like Joey Anderson, MacKenzie Entwistle, Wyatt Kaiser, Boris Katchouk, and Ian Mitchell.
For Bedard and the Blackhawks to excel, he will need to be surrounded by the best players the team has available. While Bedard may still exceed expectations, it is better to be cautious and focus on building a strong team around him.
| POLL | ||
Will Connor Bedard be a point-per-game player in his 1st season? | ||
| Yes | 97 | 51.3 % |
| No | 92 | 48.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
