The Bedard Story

[JB2011]

I would welcome ANY controversy onto this franchise.

Just a cheap opinion from me personally, but I do not believe this player will live up to all the hype.

He's a very good or great player no doubt.

But Conner McDavid he is not.

+1

I was at the Blues/Blackhawks game last Saturday, the first thing that I thought when I saw him, he's very small. It looks like a feather could knock him over. I'm exaggerating of course, but you get me point.

I've been to a couple of Blackhawks games and thought the same. He's not tiny, but yeah, he's small. IMO, there's no way he'll translate into the hype that was given to him. Having said all that, I would have loved it if the Blues won the lottery that year.

Granted he's only 19, but it doesn't look he's lifted a weight in his life.

To be honest, I barely noticed him on the ice and I was watching for him. I don't think that he'll ever be confused with Connor McDavid

That's what I have seen too. When the Blues play the Blackhawks, I often look back on the game and ask if he even played...He just does not seem very noticeable which is not good for a top line forward. Contrast that with Celebrini who I seem to hear his name every 10 seconds during SJS games.

+1

[BalotelliMassive]

This thread is the all male version of The View.

[Boomac]

I still believe Bedard has the potential for a Stamkos/Mathews like goal-scoring career. His elite skill and hockey IQ are undeniable.

However, I think he needs a consistent playmaker to truly unlock those 45-55 goal seasons. Currently, he tends to be too individualistic with the puck, and some of the moves that were successful in juniors aren't translating against NHL defenses.

His skating, while adequate, isn't a standout strength. It's possible his tendency to try to do everything himself stems from a lack of consistent support, a pattern that goes back to his time in Regina.

The Blackhawks urgently need to find him a running mate type linemate; asking him to carry the entire offensive load will likely hinder his long-term development. He needs better support than Teravainen and Bertuzzi.

[MizTruBlueLuvzU]

He literally couldn't have been drafted into a worse situation. [shirt]ty luck for the highest amped prospect since McDavid

[Tabasco Flowers]

Unsersized and not an elite skater usually leads to a short career.

Usually, not always.

[larueskee]

I told anyone who would listen that his shot (tell) would be discovered in about a week. Apparently it has and I don't know if he will score 30 goals in a season. Its early but I see a 80-90 point guy in his prime, but what do I know? I thought Ian Cole was a bonafide NHL player when Ken and his minions did not.

[IsDurbanodoingtime]

At this point if you could hypothetically buy a franchise off the rank (and all their personnel including prospects) would you take chicago or buffalo?

[STL fan in MN]

So two journalists think he should hold out. This is a non-story IMO. It wouldn’t be a bad idea for him to not sign July 1 and wait and see if he can increase his value with a strong first half of next season but this article acts as if there’s not light at the end of the tunnel for the Hawks. As a Blues fan, I wish their future looked bleak but their collection of young players is obscene. What they need to do is go out and sign some vets this summer to provide the young guys some support. They did that once with Taylor Hall, Corey Perry etc but now they’re too young again.

Perhaps Bedard grows frustrated and wants to leave but I just doubt it. The Pens sucked the first couple seasons with Crosby too and then they won 3 Cups. Unfortunately, the Hawks are building a juggernaut IMO.

[Bluesfan1978]

I thought they looked pretty good against the Avs last night. Give these guys 2-3 years and I think they will start being a handful to handle.

[TheJackBurton]

The idea that the Blackhawks wouldn’t just immediately match any offer sheet to Bedard is nonsense. There is no offer sheet threat because they will keep him regardless. The only threat is if he’d sign a shorter contract with someone else that took him right to his UFA age, as I’m sure the Hawks want him locked up as long as they can. But that would be a pretty risky move on his part.

As to his ceiling… he’s not McDavid or Crosby, but he’s going to be an elite player. There’s only so much he can do surrounded by garbage. He has more points as a 19 year old than Stamkos and Mackinnon did. Both of those guys were called busts out of the gate by a lot of people, too.

hell there was talk of trading Mackinnon to Toronto the off season before he broke out.

[Cujo's Mask]

I mentioned this in a different thread a couple of months ago, but I think teams need a veteran star (or near star) to pair with elite young talent. If all the Hawks do is continue to introduce young prospects over the next couple of years, they are going to have trouble winning games/making playoff runs (look at the Sabres, Sens, early McDavid years, etc.).

IMHO, I don't think veteran role players move the needle all that much on young teams. Sure having one guy like Foligno set an example might help, but filling around the edges with non-stars like Hall, TT, Maroon, etc. doesn't work. Young prospects are going to follow, and get better by being around, studs. If I were Chicago, I would sacrifice some prospect depth/draft capital to go and trade for any available first-line veteran winger (ages 26-30 preferably). Or a center and move Bedard to the wing. This would be the time to overpay if needed. Fingers crossed this doesn't happen (trading for that kind of player is not easy), but that's my two cents.

[Pierre McGuire]

Bedard is gonna be just fine. I still think he ends up a hall of famer when all is said and done.