Connor Bedard

Not a true speedster, but no one plays with a faster pace, a faster stick or a more accurate and diverse collection of releases. Always seems like he moving quicker, reading the ice two moves ahead of everybody, and wastes little time placing the biscuit on the tape of his linemates or in the basket (goal). He routinely strips the puck from every opposing player he gets near. He always lights up in the international stage. Makes things look ridiculously easy. As a 16 year old, he scored a hat trick in the World Junior Under-20. I think that what impresses me the most is the ease of his game and the tremendous variety of ways that he scores and sets up goals. And it starts with his high end processing  and variety of moves he masks using his hands his feet.  Remember this kid has been so talked about, so hyped, that he basically is a marked man out there, yet, he always find quiet ice at the right time and gets it done. He doesn't have to be open, as much as he has an extensive variety masks to what he does before a defender commits and then after they do.  And his handling of his ubër status at such a young age is so mature and beyond his age with the hockey world's desire for a piece of him. I want to say he is always in one gear but it is more as if he is simply always in motion, and coupled with his anticipation and natural instincts, and in the attack zone he is virtually impossible to defend before he gets his shot off. His shot release is absolutely stunning, as he instantly elevates shots in tight, and can create time and space to get shots (and passes) away. He can score with subtle toe drags of the rush or in traffic, or a 40 feet out. He lets the puck position itself in the middle of his stance and there is little indication when the puck is going away from him, as he has has a repertoire of actions/movements like a little sweep motion forward from his position or stick. The strength he uses in his shots flexes the shaft to an almost unheard of bow, with little indication it is hurtling on goal. And then, it is gone. His loose grip as he is stick handling at top gear adds to his elusiveness. He uses stutter strides, turns, and delays to open up areas he wants to invade and once he has gained separation it opens all the possible avenues he has in his shot selections, I have never seen any player in any league that can shoot the puck like he can, no one, ever!  And it is because the greatest strength in his game is his high level of deception while attacking. Uses a very long 70 flex stick that he strains while bending it to an archer's bow bend that gives it the speed and power of a lightning strike. The quickness with which he generates the puck to his linemates is startling to them sometimes. He is a goal scorer and a creator, but doesn't quit when the puck is on the opposition sticks. From a standstill, he possesses two quick bursts and will get faster with more leg strength. He has three extraordinary qualities, starting with a hockey brain and IQ that advances his scoring, quickness on his blades and his quick hands. Bedard’s final totals to end the 2022-23 WHL regular season are 71 goals, 72 assists and 143 points in 57 games. In comparison, Sidney Crosby recorded 66 goals and 168 points in 62 games with the QMJHL’s Rimouski Oceanic in 2004-05.

After three seasons in the WHL with 134 games played, Bedard finishes as a goal-per-game player with 134 goals and averaging two points per game with 271 points.

This looks like the next real generational player.

                                                                             --Bill Płaczek--