NHL prospect Connor Bedard Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Connor Bedard makes strong first impression at NHL Combine

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 6/9/23

Touted as the best NHL Draft prospect since Connor McDavid in 2015, many walked away impressed with Regina Pats forward Connor Bedard after he spoke to reporters Friday at the NHL Combine.

In fact, NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr was quick to point out the similarities between Bedard and McDavid during his draft year.

"He's right up there with Connor McDavid; it's just the next generation," Marr said, via Yahoo Sports. "The speed of the game, the quickness. These young players' hockey sense is so quick to adapt and read plays, and the skill levels. … Connor McDavid started that trend and Connor Bedard is going to lead it into the next trend."

The No. 1-ranked prospect in the 2023 draft just ahead of University of Michigan center Adam Fantilli, Bedard scored 71 goals and 143 points in just 57 games with Regina in 2022. It was the second straight season he recorded 100 or more points at ages 16 and 17.

Adam Fantilli on Connor Bedard today, by the way:

"He's a phenomenal hockey player who deserves everything he's getting... In my eyes, he's going to be able to exceed those [high expectations] because he's such an amazing guy and amazing player."
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) June 10, 2023

Bedard has been on NHL scouts’ radar since the age of 13 when he was being compared to McDavid and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby, the No. 1 overall pick in 2005.

"We've focused on him for the last three years leading up to this event,” Marr said. “It's very difficult for the youngest player on any team to be the best player on the team. And he's been able to do that every outing, every event, almost every game that you're at. It just puts him in that special category."

Connor Bedard said it’d be “awesome” if he was taken by Chicago at No. 1 overall: “The history with that organization and that city with sports would be unbelievable. We'll see what happens. If they do select me, that would be a huge honor.” #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/DdcDshFOU1
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) June 9, 2023

While it’s not set in stone that Bedard will go No. 1 overall on June 28 in Nashville, it’s hard to see the Chicago Blackhawks passing on a generational talent such as him.

If he indeed is picked first overall, Bedard would join a Blackhawks farm system ranked No. 5 overall by The Athletic—one that is loaded with several top prospects including Kevin Korchinski, Lukas Reichel, Frank Nazar, Ryan Greene and Sam Rinzel.

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