Kyle Davidson: Connor Bedard is ‘Incredibly mature and impressive’
The future of the NHL has stepped onto the ice for the first time in front of our very eyes. Newly drafted Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard has already impressed his new organization’s general manager, Kyle Davidson. As a rookie, Davidson views Bedard as incredibly mature and impressive.
Over the past few years, NHL prospects have been hyped up like never before. Connor McDavid, Jack Hughes, Auston Matthews–the list goes on.
Now, outshining all of them is yet another Connor.
The young Canadian forward finished last season playing for the Regina Pats. During the 2022-23 season, Bedard put up a jaw-dropping stat line. Playing 57 games, the 18-year-old scored 71 goals and tallied 72 assists for 143 points in just 57 games.
??? BEDARD HAT TRICK ???
— NHL (@NHL) September 17, 2023
Connor Bedard put on a show at the prospect showcase in Saint Paul! ?
(?: @NHLBlackhawks) pic.twitter.com/g6dHQpdqPG
In his NHL rookie camp debut, Bedard made other players look silly, scoring three beautiful goals and tallying an assist in a 5-0 win over the St. Louis Blues prospects. Could this be a tell on what Bedard could be in his rookie season? Can he break Teemu Selänne‘s rookie scoring record (76)?
“The amount of attention, expectations, not just now but in the past, has been something that is rarely seen,” Davidson said, according to NHL.com’s Tracey Myers. “I can’t speak more highly of how he’s handled it, how he’s not let it impact his focus and what he thinks is important and the work he needs to put in, both on and off the ice, to perform at the level he expects of himself.
“Incredibly mature and impressive for an 18-year-old coming into a very unique situation.”
Davidson also commented on Bedard’s shot after his three-goal performance.
“It’s an elite shot. He loves to use it,” he said. “I don’t think we learned or confirmed anything there that wasn’t fairly well documented.
“We’ll let him and his play do the talking. I’m sure the expectations he’s been followed with for a long time. I’m sure he’ll handle it just fine.”
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