2023 WJHC from Halifax/Moncton

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

I was thinking a more skilled and faster Johnny. He dodges checks easily. He seems to have a motor that is non stop.

Bedard looked determined to end the game in OT.

He's going to be a superstar but probably not McDavid numbers.

McDavid cheats the game so he can rack up points.

Yeah, he has Johnny's ability to be slippery-evade checks, stickhandle through checkers, etc. He's got those little head fakes, and deceptive ways of holding his stick. He can slow down, speed up, and change direction in a millisecond. These skills have kept Johnny going, without getting his head taken off.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Sandman

He's an excellent skater, but he's nowhere near the level of a McD/ MacKinnon. He plays with phenomenal pace, and can change speed/direction on a dime. Elite stickhandler, with uncanny deception ability. He reminds me of Johnny Hockey in that regard-not elite in a straight line, but will make you look silly by going around or past you.

His shot is Stamkos-esque to me, but a better Stamkos.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by dino7c

It's fine to have that opinion but when he is breaking those players records don't be surprised that people disagree

I have never seen a 17 year old dominate like this

Originally Posted by getbak

Jagr had 18 points in 7 games. Bedard now has 21 in 5, and he's guaranteed 2 more games.


21 points puts him into a tie with Robert Reichel for 4th on the all-time single tournament list. Peter Forsberg holds the record with 31 in 7 games. That's probably not catchable, but second place is 24 points, which could be passed.

The best comparison, IMO, is Gretzky who put up 17 pts in 6 games as a 16 year old. Had it not been for the WHA, he would have returned as a 17 year old and probably puts up 30 points or more.

For more comparisons, McDavid had 11 pts as a 17YO and MacKinnon had 1.

(Forsberg was 19 when he put up 31)

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

185 lbs at 5'10" at 17 years old tends to suggest his NHL weight will be about 195 - so a fairly solid size for physical play. I think speed is the bigger question mark for him as opposed to size.

With his shot though, no reason he shouldn't score a ton in the NHL.

Yes, weight is way more important than height as a size factor in the NHL. A short solid player is tougher to check than a taller skinny guy. A lot of the really good short players were fireplugs. Fleury at 5’6” 160 lbs was a rubber ball. He’d bounce from hits.

And if Bedard grows an inch and gains 10 pounds he’ll be under league average for height but close to the average forward weight.

[DeluxeMoustache]

I am impressed with how he sees the game

There was a point late in the game where he took a shot from the right point, then while everyone watched the shot to see what happened, he zipped to where he expected the rebound to go

Anticipating more so than reacting

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

His shot is Stamkos-esque to me, but a better Stamkos.

His release is other-worldly. I can't think of a better one.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Sandman

His release is other-worldly. I can't think of a better one.

Yeah. His shot is Bedard-esque

[flamesgod]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Gaudreau is actually a good comparison in style

a bigger, faster Gaudreau...dear lord

With a better shot.

[rohara66]

He toe drags it to change the angle of his shot… except he drags it nearly into his feet and he still gets a crazy shot off. Never seen that extreme of a release before.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Sandman

His release is other-worldly. I can't think of a better one.

You have to think that even if he falls a little short of being a generational talent, he's got the floor of an elite forward because of his release alone which should lead to a lot of 30+ goal seasons. He really looks like a can't miss talent.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

You have to think that even if he falls a little short of being a generational talent, he's got the floor of an elite forward because of his release alone which should lead to a lot of 30+ goal seasons. He really looks like a can't miss talent.

Yeah. Totally see his floor as Zegras. Seems to have the release of Matthews which is interesting as he’s much shorter.

[SuperMatt18]

I’m a big fan of hockeyprospecting.com and in terms of pre-draft production his closest comparables are Gretzky, Lemieux, Tavares, Crosby, Eichel, McDavid.

Doesn’t mean he’s going to step in and be a top 5 NHLer from day one like most of
Those guys were, but those are his peers at this point.

His WJC has been crazy so far, pretty much has been Canada’s offense single handedly as a 17-year old (Canada has scored 33 goals, he has points on 21 of them).

Please don’t end up in the pacific division or even western conference unless magically in Calgary somehow.

[calumniate]

I see Joe Colborne 2.0

[topfiverecords]

He could storm into the league better than McD and Matthews and sadly he’ll be given no attention by SportsNet and TSN.

[Robbob]

First time I have watched multiple games of his. From my recollection you can probably count the number of Canadian teams on a single hand where a kid wearing a full mask is carrying or driving the team like Bedard is. I think Loubardias said he has generational type tools. Probably a good compromise as he is still developing. He is going to be a hell of a hockey player.

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

He could storm into the league better than McD and Matthews and sadly he’ll be given no attention by SportsNet and TSN.

I'm not sure what makes you think this considering how much attention he's already getting from TSN.

[albertGQ]

that wrist shot he has is deadly

He'll sling it back and release it like a sling shot. Pulled it off multiple times last night. Surprised he didn't score on a wrist shot last night

[Scroopy Noopers]

The kid is an assassin.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

He could storm into the league better than McD and Matthews and sadly he’ll be given no attention by SportsNet and TSN.

Originally Posted by Mazrim

I'm not sure what makes you think this considering how much attention he's already getting from TSN.

Yeah wut?

Bedard has been worth the price of admission, but like only Canadian media can, they've made the whole thing about him.

How about Hinds who saved a goal? Or Milic who made some big late and OT saves to keep all of Canada from completely imploding?

[Yamer]

Bedard is setting records. I don't see the problem.