The Connor Bedard Sweepstakes

Connor Bedard is far and wide the best prospect since Connor McDavid. He is dominating the opposition at every level. He just put up 23 points (in 7 games) during the 2023 World Juniors, as a 17-year-old, playing against mainly 18–19 year olds. He is dominating the WHL this season, with 142 points (in 55 gp), 37 points higher than second place (who has played 11 more games). This after posting 100 points in 62 games as a 16 year old last year. Like McDavid, I expect Bedard to break into the NHL next season at a point-per-game pace, before exploding in his sophomore season a becoming a regular 100-point scorer. Just about any NHL scout who agree with that statement. So the only question that remains is, which team will he be playing for?

As I write this blog, the San Jose Sharks (25.5%) hold the highest odds of winning the 1st Overall pick, followed by Columbus (13.5%), Chicago (11.5%), Anaheim (9.5%), Montreal (8.5%), Arizona (7.5%), Philadelphia (6.5%), Vancouver (6.0%) and the remaining 3 teams with a combined 11.5%.

Wouldn't it be awesome if Bedard ended up with his hometown Vancouver Canucks? Canucks fans haven't had much to cheer about since the 2011 loss to the Bruins in the Stanley Cup final - Only 1 playoff series win (2020). After the retirement of the Sedin twins, the next generation of talent was supposed to lead the team. However, bad management has meant many painful years missing the playoffs. However, Bedard would absolutely fill in that missing piece to bring the Canucks back into regular playoff contention for the next 10-15 years.

I would also be excited if Bedard ends up in San Jose or Anaheim, in the same division as Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. This would maximize the opportunity of having exciting McDavid vs Bedard playoff matchups for the next decade.

I want to see Bedard in a big original six market like Chicago or Montreal. Although these fan bases don't necessarily need the star power to sell tickets, both teams are in need of a new superstar. Chicago just traded away Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews seems to be well past his prime, Duncan Keith is long gone and even the younger Alex DeBrincat was traded away last year. Chicago clearly went all in this year on tanking for Bedard - so they better hope they get him.

Likewise, with the quasi-retirements of their two star players, Carey Price and Shea Weber, the Habs are in need for a new superstar. Just imagine Bedard, Caufield, and Suzuki playing on the ice together.

The only outcome I am truly rooting against is the 6.5% chance that Connor Bedard ends up in Arizona. If that did happen, it would be a huge loss for the NHL and its fans.

Bedard would be stuck playing for a team without a home. Glendale/Phoenix doesn’t want them. The Arizona taxpayers don’t want to subsidize the team. They are currently playing in a 5,000 seat arena, about a quarter of the size of most other arenas. And yes, those 5,000 fans who do attend the games do claim that it is an amazing atmosphere. But those fans probably haven't been the the Bell Center on a Saturday night.

Nonetheless, the ever-stubborn Gary Bettman refuses to own up to his mistake of moving too many teams to cities without winter. Connor Bedard may become one of the best players of all time, but he alone can’t save the Coyotes franchise while they stay in the desert. He may become the forgotten superstar, because very few people would actually be able to watch him play.

But, regardless of whichever team wins the NHL Draft Lottery, I am looking forward to watching the start of a Hall of Fame career.