Power Ranking The Best Fits For Connor Bedard
One NHL team is about to get very, very lucky...
Christmas will indeed come early for one lucky team in the National Hockey League tonight.
The 2023 NHL Draft Lottery takes place on Monday (8:00 P.M. ET) and the stakes are considerably higher than in previous years.
Why you may ask?
That’s a simple answer.
Connor Bedard.
Not since the 2015 NHL Draft gifted us the literal next Wayne Gretzky in Connor McDavid has a prospect generated as much hype as Bedard has.
And it is all totally justified.
Touted as the next generational talent, Bedard has done more than live up to that lofty billing. He’s surpassed it, smashed through it and put the entire hockey world on notice. We may be just about to witness true, true greatness in the making.
Bedard is coming off a historical, magical and seemingly unbelievable 2023 season in which he breezed past the competition, dominated every level he played at, electrified Social Media with jaw-dropping viral highlight after another, all while causing a slew of NHL teams to fall over themselves to tank in the hope that they could be in the position to land a true franchise cornerstone and usher in the good times almost immediately.
Tempering expectations is always wise with prospects but it is hard to do that when it comes to Bedard, just as it was when McDavid was setting the world alight on his way to being drafted No. 1 overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2015.
It is also hard to put into context just how dominant Bedard was in 2023. He put up a staggering 71 goals and 72 assists for 143 points in just 57 games for the Regina Pats. He absolutely tore up the WHL and amassed a plethora of highlight-reel plays that would take weeks to consume.
Not only that, but Bedard also delivered on the biggest stage with the world watching. He stole the entire show at the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championship, setting the record for most points by a Canadian player at the tournament with 23. To put it simply; Bedard came, saw and conquered in his final dress rehearsal before making it to the big time, and now the NHL awaits for a prospect who quite literally has the world at his feet.
Of course, Bedard may not be in the same stratosphere as McDavid due to size and skating ability - that is hardly an insult - but he is considered one of the best prospects behind McDavid to come out of the Draft in more than a decade. He’s going to be a literal game-changer for the team lucky enough to win the rights to the No. 1 overall pick.
So, with that in mind, what would be the best possible outcome in the wake of the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery? Where is the best landing spot and what is the best fit for Bedard? What would be the most fun or the most chaotic outcome? What destination would be anti-climatic?
I’m going to attempt to power rank the best fits for Bedard based on a number of different factors, and I’ll include each teams’ odds of winning the NHL Draft Lottery next to their names.
It is worth remembering that, after the NHL altered the format in 2021, teams can only move up a maximum of 10 spots in the Draft Lottery. That means that only the top 11 seeds have a chance of the lottery balls bouncing their way and winning the No. 1 overall pick. However, given how talent-heavy the 2023 NHL Draft is, there will be plenty of high-end consolation prizes on offer for the teams that don’t get the biggest prize on offer in recent memory.
We’ll have more on that in the coming weeks as we begin to ramp up our Draft coverage here at ‘Blogs Of Steele.’ But, for now, all of our focus is on Connor Bedard and the 11 teams that have a shot at drafting a slam-dunk bluechip prospect with a stupidly high ceiling and enough talent needed to lead a team back into NHL relevancy. And maybe to a dynasty.
Let’s dive right in…
The Dream Scenario
Detroit Red Wings (5.0%)
Take a moment to scroll through Red Wings Twitter today and the general feeling will be one of what could have been. That’s to say that the entire city of Detroit has given up any hope of seeing Bedard in Motor City.
You can’t blame them either. The Red Wings haven’t exactly been blessed by The Hockey Gods when it comes to the NHL Draft Lottery. They finished with the worst record in the entire NHL three years ago and still ended up drafting fourth overall. In total, they’ve lost eight spots in the draft since 2016.
Why should tonight be any different?
We love sports though because it tricks us into having hope year after year after year. So, why not the Detroit Red Wings tonight? Why can’t they finally land their white whale and end up with the No. 1 overall pick?
If they do, there’s no doubt in my mind that it will prove to be the dream scenario for the Red Wings, Connor Bedard and, indeed, the entire National Hockey League. That may sound a little silly, but it makes sense when you really dive deep into the weeds to examine further.
General Manager Steve Yzerman - himself an idol as a player in the Motor City - has committed to the slow build in Detroit, carefully constructing what he hopes to be an eventual and sustained winner. The next Red Wings dynasty.
After years and years of euphoric glory, led by all-time greats such as Nicklas Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk, Sergei Fedorov, Henrik Zetterberg and Yzerman, the sustained brilliance has been followed by consistent sucking. It hasn’t been a fun time to be a sports fan in Detroit when you consider the crappiness that has also engulfed the Lions, the Tigers and the Pistons.
But, just like the Lions are on the up, so too are the Red Wings and they boast a solid core headlined by Dylan Larkin, Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond and Jake Walman. Not to mention the glut of impressive prospects they have in the system. However, there’s no doubt that Bedard is exactly the type of bluechip franchise game-changer that the Red Wings have long craved, and he would put this rebuild in turbocharge mode. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if Detroit made it to the postseason for the first time since the 2015-16 season in 2024 if they had Bedard at their disposal.
There’s just a lot to like about this. Not only would Bedard be a perfect fit in Detroit, he wouldn’t have to be the guy straightaway and he could slot in as the second-line center behind Larkin. That would help for sure, although the lofty expectations are still going to be there. Plus, Detroit is a superb and much-loved hockey market, they are trying to build a winner the right way, they didn’t outright tank for much of last season, they haven’t been good in forever and they haven’t picked first since 1986.
They are due some luck and I would love to see Bedard in a Red Wings jersey. It just feels right. A generational, potentially iconic, player going to a storied franchise.
I want this to happen so bad.
What The NHL Wants
Chicago Blackhawks (11.5%)
For those thinking the NHL doesn’t have a preferred dog in the fight on Monday, you are out of your mind. The league wants the best talent in the most marketable places, and they are going to want one of the best prospects we’ve seen in years in a market where he will be seen and where he can help grow the game.
That’s why the Blackhawks winning the NHL Draft Lottery would be a good outcome for the league. They’re an iconic franchise in a big sports market and, I mean, how symbolic would it be for Bedard to end up as a Blackhawk just weeks after it was announced Jonathan Toews had played his last game for the organization. Talk about passing the baton.
Now, the Blackhawks did do everything within their power to tank and it is somewhat of a surprise that they didn’t allow fans to play goaltender given how obvious their intentions were. When you also consider how badly they handled the Kyle Beach Sexual Abuse case - it was deplorable - there is a fair amount of stink attached to this franchise right now.
General Manager Kyle Davidson is quite literally starting from scratch with Kane and Toews gone. He has started to rebuild the farm system and there is reasons for hope, but adding a generational talent like Bedard would give Blackhawks fans reason to want to root for this team again. He would sell tickets and merchandise and he could become the next huge bonafide star in a massive market like Chicago. This outcome would absolutely thrill the NHL to no end.
Montreal Canadiens (8.5%)
I think there’s something to be said for the fact that having Connor Bedard on the East Coast would just be better all round for the NHL. The league already has a sizeable markability problem, and it has to be said that Connor McDavid probably doesn’t get as many eyes on him as he should given that the majority of the Oilers’ games take place when many people are already in bed on the East Coast.
Bedard landing in Montreal would tick a number of boxes for the NHL. It would ensure that the next big thing is visible at all times in the Eastern Conference, plus he would be playing in a huge market with a passionate fanbase for an organization that is one of the most iconic in all of sports.
There’s lots to like about this Canadiens team, too. They have a glut of talent, they have seemingly found their Head Coach in the legendary Martin St. Louis who knows how to get the best out of young players, and Nick Suzuki and Bedard would form a lethal one-two punch down the middle of the ice.
The Canadiens haven’t won the Stanley Cup since 1993. Having Bedard would given them a freaking good chance of ending that drought in the not-too-distant future.
Most Fun
Anaheim Ducks (18.5%)
Are you telling me that a team boasting both Bedard and Trevor Zegras wouldn’t be fun to watch?
Do me a favor. Sit back, close your eyes and just imagine Bedard feeding Zegras with a filthy pass, only for Zegras to then go and execute ‘The Michigan Goal.’ It would be like watching the purest form of hockey.
There’s lots of talent on that Anaheim roster and in the pipeline, but they would become essential viewing if they could roll out a stupidly skilled two-headed monster of Zegras and Bedard. That would be freaking fun to watch on a nightly basis, even if the Ducks are not good straightaway. And, given they have the best odds, there’s a very, very good chance of that dream quickly becoming a reality tonight.
It Has Potential
San Jose Sharks (9.5%)
Let’s be honest, the San Jose Sharks are just an easy team to root for. They are like the good guys of the NHL. They boast sick uniforms, they have the best players entrance in all of sports - the Shark Head will never, ever get old - and they deserve some luck. They are probably long overdue an all-time gift from the Hockey Gods.
They could never get over the hump with Joe Thornton, and it would just be great to see the Sharks make another run at it and finally win a Stanley Cup for a franchise icon. Because, let’s get it right, Bedard will become a legend no matter where he lands. Plus, I kinda just want to see Bedard emerge from that Shark Head in one of those beautiful teal uniforms.
Arizona Coyotes (7.5%)
If there’s one team that is in desperate need more than anybody else, it is the Coyotes. Playing in a college arena, hockey is not in a good place in the desert and what better way to resurrect it than by winning the chance to draft a generational talent.
Bedard would automatically became the savior for the Coyotes and, who knows, maybe that would be enough to persuade Auston Matthews to return home. Because, let’s face it, it doesn’t look like the Maple Leafs are winning anything this year.
I’m not convinced this would be the best outcome for the league. In-fact, it would probably be the worst-case scenario, but hockey in Arizona needs a win and this would be a pretty nice boost for the Coyotes fans who have had to suffer through a lot recently. It could also prove to be the shot in the arm that the arena funding vote needs.
Don’t Sleep On Them
Columbus Blue Jackets (13.5%)
Man, the Blue Jackets get a bad rep. And that’s very unfair.
The small-market Jackets get crapped on a hell of a lot and they were poked fun a lot at this year after stinking out the building. They finished 31st despite shocking the hockey world by signing elite winger Johnny Gaudreau in Free Agency.
They seem mired in mediocrity and don’t appear to be going anywhere good anywhere fast. And you can bet your bottom dollar that the NHL would absolutely hate it if the Blue Jackets got the No. 1 overall pick.
But, in saying that, we need to start giving the Blue Jackets their flowers and Bedard may not be a bad fit in Columbus. For starters, he would have an underrated assortment of talent on his wings, including one of the best in Gaudreau, not to mention Patrik Laine, Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnson.
Bedard would have a bevy of tools at his disposal needed to succeed in Columbus from day one, and I’m already all in when it comes to a potential link-up between Bedard and Gaudreau. That would be utter chaos for defenses up and down the NHL.
Plus, the fanbase is as loyal as they come and they deserve an elite talent like Bedard to get behind. It’s one of the largest and fastest growing cities in America, the organization sold out games even when they were god-awful and Connor Bedard would be the exact type of star that could put the Columbus Blue Jackets on the map.
In many ways, it actually could be a match made in heaven.
Most Chaotic / Life Is Not Fair
Washington Capitals (6.0%)
Can you just imagine the conspiracy theories that would erupt all over the place if the Capitals ended up with the No. 1 overall pick?
It would get messy.
There would no doubt be claims that the NHL fixed the whole thing just so that Alex Ovechkin could hurry up and break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record. Let’s face it, Twitter would be awash with such wild declarations.
But, I love chaos, I root for chaos and Bedard becoming a member of the Washington Capitals would be as close to chaos as we’ll probably get on Monday. You could put Bedard on a line with Ovechkin and there’s no doubt The Great Eight would reach the 72 goals he needs to break Gretzky’s record in no time.
That would be just a fun combination to watch too and seeing Bedard tee Ovechkin up for those famous wicked one-timers from the left dot on the power play would be gold.
The Capitals are in a weird place right now having missed the Playoffs this past season, but getting Bedard would open their window right back up and would give Ovechkin a legit chance at winning a second championship, which is something we can all get behind.
Snooze-Fest / Disaster Zone
Philadelphia Flyers (6.5%) / St. Louis Blues (3.5%)
I’m going to be lazy and group two teams together. I’m sorry, but Bedard ending up with the Flyers or the Blues just doesn’t get my juices going. At all.
The Flyers - I hate to say it - are probably the most boring team in hockey and pairing Bedard with John Tortorella would be a disaster waiting to happen. Seriously, it would be a car crash and it could absolutely ruin Bedard’s career before it’s even begun.
The Blues won a Cup in 2018 and they just don’t scream sexy to me. I’d be pretty underwhelmed if Bedard ended up in St. Louis. It would be like expecting a mouth-watering bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream and being handed a tub of dairy-free slop instead. And who wants that.
Nobody. That’s who. Sorry, Blues fans.
Romance Isn’t Dead
Vancouver Canucks (3.0%)
The Canucks were a disaster in 2022-23 for a multitude of reasons. And they don’t deserve good things for how they treated Bruce Boudreau. They just don’t.
It isn’t likely to happen either given they have the worst odds of getting the No. 1 overall pick, but then they probably will now because we all know how life works.
There’s one advantage to the Canucks getting their grubby little hands on Bedard, though. It would keep the romance of the sport alive.
Bedard was born in Vancouver, he reportedly followed the Canucks as a kid (and still does), and who doesn’t drool at the thought of a generational talent etching out his legend in the place he was born for the team he always loved? Hollywood is getting the script ready as we speak (once the Writer Strikes are over, of course. And I’m on the side of writers by the way, because why wouldn’t I be. Hollywood isn’t Hollywood without them).
Plus, the Canucks, despite being a hot mess, actually have some core pieces in place already in Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, Andrei Kuzmenko, Vasily Podkolzin and Brock Boeser. Pettersson would be the No. 1 center, Bedard could learn his craft and he would have some legit talent around him. But, again, Vancouver seems like a mess right now and it might be a situation Bedard wants to avoid, no matter his personal feelings towards the team.
