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The NHL Rookie Draft, scheduled for June 28, 2023, may as well be renamed "The Connor Bedard Draft." A consensus top prospect in this year's draft, Bedard has continued to separate himself from the rest of the draft class.
"The NHL's draft lottery has been set for May 8 and 7 p.m. It's a big event with Connor Bedard available to the team that wins the No. 1 spot." - Chris Johnston
The 17-year-old from North Vancouver, British Colombia, has been a top prospect since becoming draft eligible. While a clear-cut number one pick is not always the case in these drafts, he has showcased his skills at all levels, creating a sizable gap between himself and the rest of the class.
Connor Bedard has 63 goals and 66 assists in 52 games this season with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He leads second-placed Chase Wheatcroft of the Prince George Cougars by 28 points.
Not only has he dominated the WHL this season, but he was also a revelation for Team Canada at the 2023 World Junior Championship in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Bedard contributed nine goals and 23 points in seven games to aid Team Canada's gold medal win. They notably won the gold medal game in overtime against the Czech Republic.
Here is a deeper look at the top prospect heading into the 2023 NHL Draft.
Connor Bedard's strengths
Connor Bedard is as elite as they come in the offensive zone. A fluid and agile skater, the talented forward is among the finest skaters in the draft class. While he may not blow anyone away with his speed, he is well above the average player in the WHL.
He may not be Connor McDavid on his skates, but he could become one of the best skaters in the league.
Even though Bedard is a shoot-first player, he can also thread the needle at any point in time with his passing. He has all the confidence, vision, and awareness to connect with high-danger passes.
This will be something he will continue to improve upon as he matures as an NHL player, which will be scary for his opponents.
Shooting is one of Bedard's best abilities, with his coach even comparing his shooting to Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews.
To put it bluntly, his shot is NHL-ready. He has great shot mechanics, a quick release, a lot of power, and pinpoint accuracy. If defensemen decide to press him to prevent a shot, he should be able to use his skating ability to blow by his opponents.
"Connor Bedard's coach compares his shooting to Auston Matthews" - CHERKAS ATLANT
Connor Bedard's weaknesses are few and far between
While he is the most complete offensive player in the 2023 NHL Draft class, Connor Bedard's defensive abilities are less refined. He is not a bad defender, but it is something he will need to improve as he matures as a player.
His effort levels on his own end vary from time to time and when he is defending hard, he will put himself in front of shots and defend the slot well. However, when the effort is not there, he floats around. Bedard is inconsistent with his involvement in board play as well.
However, at the end of the day, he has the IQ and skill to make plays defensively. Connor Bedard may not be the next Patrice Bergeron, but he won't be a liability out there either.
