Tank for Bedard

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by HighLifeMan

In fact I did. Comparing him to Kovalev and stating that he "doesn't want it" after one game is laughable.

Yeah, I guess that “doesn’t want it” thing that nobody actually said, unless I missed something, is laughable.

[OutOfTheCube]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Yeah, I guess that “doesn’t want it” thing that nobody actually said, unless I missed something, is laughable.

You thanked this post, man:

Originally Posted by jatylo

I'm glad other people saw the same thing during the game. An elite offensive talent but found him slow and coasting most of the game. He will be getting an earful from his defense buddies in the big leagues from the lack of back checking.
See more of a Kovalev comparison. He's the best when he wants to be, but needs to want it.
But who knows hard to put a ton of weight on 1 game after he has played 3 in 4 nights

[DeluxeMoustache]

Needs to and doesn’t aren’t the same thing

Last night he didn’t. Obviously everybody has seen him when he does

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by blender

I'm not a Walsh fan, but I do appreciate that he feels free to call out the league. It's refreshing.

..and if all the Coaches and GMs did the same on reffing....in numbers there's safety!

wouldn't that be nice?

[PepsiFree]

I didn’t watch the game but heard plenty of feedback similar to what a few others are saying. I don’t think it’s any great criticism or shocking revelation to admit a junior player who has his ticket booked for #1 overall, a maximum entry level contract, and a spot on the starting roster of an NHL team in September, is dogging it and putting in a half effort during a meaningless WHL game in January.

[Drake]

Originally Posted by manwiches

The Pats are not a good team this year. And yea, i kind of wish they traded him for a kings ransom. But there's no way they were going to, as hearing him go #1 overall from the Regina Pats, will go further for name recognition for the team.

Bedard has a no trade clause and wasn't willing waive it. I've heard he absolutely loves being a Pat, the organization; hearing his name called as a Pat at the draft will be mean something special to him.

[Ullr]

I was at the game last night as well - people on this forum who say he was coasting need to get their eyes checked.

I suspect Bedard plays close to 30 minutes every game (WHL doesn't seem to track TOI stats) and his "coasting" is impressive to say the least. I've never seen a player (outside of Makar and McDavid) who is able to glide effortlessly end-to-end and still manage to make an impact every shift.

Bedard was essentially double-teamed all night and he still managed to drag the Regina Pats to a win.

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

^ Did you actually watch the game?

Nobody disputes the talent, or that he will be drafted first, or that he will find success

It was pretty funny though. The dome sells out, kids with signs everywhere. Starry eyed, watching the next great …

Any coach telling kids how to play C will now have to undo what they learned from Bedard. The way he coasted and was last forward back, repeatedly, all night was almost comical.

He is of course literally *that* talented that he can basically do his own thing.

He also went down easily a couple of times, gave the look to the ref with palms up.

Anyway. Huge talent. People who were there saw the effort.

He’s a kid, he will mature.

[DeluxeMoustache]

^ lol. End to end. Eyes checked. That’s rich.

You at least nailed the ‘effortless’ part

[bdubbs]

Yeah, he's horrible! He shouldn't go higher than 15-16 overall, just around the Flames spot. We have the best coach for developing a young player's defensive deficiencies, after all!

/s

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

^ lol. End to end. Eyes checked. That’s rich.

You at least nailed the ‘effortless’ part

To be fair to him in that still shot it looks like the back dman is changing - so not really like he's allowing it to be a 5-4 in his own zone.

Also tough to say if he's floating back or was just caught deep from a still shot.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

To be fair to him in that still shot it looks like the back dman is changing - so not really like he's allowing it to be a 5-4 in his own zone.

Also tough to say if he's floating back or was just caught deep from a still shot.

Wow. I get a kick out of that.

Well, having taken that picture, I can tell you that it was not the first, or even one of the first 10 times that he was the last guy coming back.

Flaming Homer described his game well…

Originally Posted by Flaming Homer

Was at the game admittedly i watch zero junior but it was odd. Obviously this kids going to rack up points. But he floats around. Hes center yet always last F back and hanging high for the break out. He doesnt change lines with his line mates, kinda seems like he just comes and goes off the ice as he wants.

Others corroborated.

I shared a picture of him behind the play which I took because it happened so often, it was comical. It’s not like it was happenstance to catch him at the far blue line when the play was in his end. It was all night. Per the quote above

Be ‘fair to him’ all you want, I suppose. I honestly am curious why.

It’s kind of funny that you’re trying to find something in the photo where he is clearly last guy back and clearly not striding (like FlamingHomer described). Even if the opposing D did decide to change, he’s still the C… and believe me, they got to the zone before he did.

What we saw firsthand is what happened. Guy played a dog #### defensive game

I says he’s talented enough that he can get away with it.

Great hands, great talent. But a hilarious lack of interest in the backcheck

[MoneyGuy]

I think Regina missed an opportunity by not trading the kid to a contender. They could have collected a windfall.

[transplant99]

17 YO isnt a complete player yet?


Call the friggin investigative reporter on that one!

What a bizarre thread.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Why is it bizarre?

Lots of centres in U11 backcheck

[Groot]

Was also at the game last night. Bedard is obviously a special talent. But his lack.of defense at times was highly noticeable.

There were 3 kids probably around 10 behind me from the same hockey team, obviously massive Bedard fans as they gushed over everything he did. I asked them who their favorite teams were, one Oil one Flames one Nucks. I asked if the Nucks got Bedard would the other two cheer for them and they said no but they will cheer for Bedard. By the 3rd period, one of them said to the other two "Bedard really doesn't like to play defense sometimes, does he?"

It was definitely noticeable at the game. He is still gonna be something special and I imagine it will be easily worked on as he progresses.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Why is it bizarre?

Lots of centres in U11 backcheck

So does Bedard.

Just because he didnt do it enough for your satisfaction in a game last night.......means literally nothing.

Any kid with his IQ and skill will be coached into a 2 way player....and depending on who/where, he could become absolutely ELITE at it.

He is 17 and a phenom....maybe take a step back and understand that you have no idea, nor do i, wjat he will become in the NHL. Only that he will be there and probably for 15+ years if he stays healthy and chooses to and is more likely than not to be a star while doing so.

[PepsiFree]

I didn’t see anyone predicting a bust, just commenting that the kid had a lazy game.

Why are people getting so defensive about Connor Bedard? He’s not going to be a Flame.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I think Regina missed an opportunity by not trading the kid to a contender. They could have collected a windfall.

1. He's too young to be traded without his approval.

2. He's worth a pile of money to the owners not only in increased ticket sales and merchandise, but also as a sure fire NHL 1st round pick.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by transplant99

So does Bedard.

Just because he didnt do it enough for your satisfaction in a game last night.......means literally nothing.

Any kid with his IQ and skill will be coached into a 2 way player....and depending on who/where, he could become absolutely ELITE at it.

He is 17 and a phenom....maybe take a step back and understand that you have no idea, nor do i, wjat he will become in the NHL. Only that he will be there and probably for 15+ years if he stays healthy and chooses to and is more likely than not to be a star while doing so.

You’re yelling at clouds, man

[transplant99]

Yeah....ok.

LOL.