We all dreamed of seeing Connor Bedard in the uniform of the Canadian, but chance decided otherwise and with the fifth choice, it becomes more complicated. The CH staff has no right to be wrong.
Fifth place is a critical position in a draft. There is always a way to hit a home run, especially since it is said that the 2023 vintage is of high quality, but the risk of going astray exists. It is therefore very easy for a general manager and his team of recruiters to look bad.
The Canadian has often been wrong with his first choice with Jesperi Kotkaniemi (3rd in 2018), Ryan Poehling (25th in 2017), Noah Juulsen (26th in 2015), Nikita Sherback (26th in 2014), Michael McCarron (25th in 2013) and we could add more with Nathan Beaulieu, Michal McCarron, Louis Leblanc, Danny Kristo (2nd in 2008) and David Fischer (20th) rather than Claude Giroux, in 2006.
These choices have seriously plagued the Canadian over the years. This time, we know at least one thing, it is that the CH will probably pick up an attacker because that is where the wealth of the 2023 auction lies.
I would have liked a goalkeeper to stand out and be available, but it doesn’t matter, you have to choose the best talent and many believe that after Bedard, it’s the Russian, Matvei Michkov. He could slip due to his contractual situation which binds him to SKA St-Petersburg in KHL until 2026.
It could cool the teams drafted in 2nd, 3rd and 4th place, namely Anaheim, Columbus and San Jose, not to mention the Russian problem. If Michkov really is the best, I wouldn’t hesitate to draft her. I know it’s risky, but if we can get our hands on the second best player, we have to select him.
I think we have to attack the repechage with the same mentality as when Marc Bergevin chose Logan Mailloux in 31st place in 2021. We know his story, but today, several teams regret having ignored him. It was a risk, but so far, it seems to be a theft from Bergevin. In 2005, many blamed the general manager of the Canadiens for having drafted Carey Price in 5th place, when I was in position as number one goalkeeper in Montreal, but it was the right decision.
When you have the chance to fish out an exceptional fish, you have to take it. Hughes will have to select the best prospect in fifth place and if we have to wait until 2026 to see Michkov land in Montreal, I have no problem with that. Let’s go!
Bedard changes the game
Photo Getty Images via AFP
Connor Bedard will dramatically speed up the rebuilding process in Chicago.
The Chicago Blackhawks’ reconstruction plan has just accelerated with Bedard. I’m still happy to see such a star end up in a big market. It’s good for the NHL and it’s good for hockey. Free agents will be more attracted to Chicago and within three years the Hawks should be among the top ten teams in the NHL.
It is certain that Bedard will not be very well surrounded at the beginning, but he seems to be very mature, a bit like Sidney Crosby at his beginnings. I believe he will develop in the right way and Luke Richardson seems like an ideal coach for him.
I would be more worried about Bedard if he was immature like Alex Ovechkin was in his early days. Like the Hawks today, the Capitals were pitiful back then and Ovi took a beating despite a 52-goal rookie season at age 20.
One thing is certain, hockey is a winner with the arrival of Bedard in the NHL. It remains to be seen if he will be able to assert himself immediately or if it will take three years as in the case of Jack Hughes in New Jersey.
-Comments collected by Gilles Moffet
SNACKS
Panther madness
The Panthers are creating quite the buzz in Florida and with a win tonight they could sweep the Maple Leafs in four games. No one had foreseen this scenario. What has changed in this team is the leadership; first, that of the trainer, Paul Maurice, then of Matthew Tkachuk and goalkeeper Sergei Bobrovsky who delivers the goods, finally. They say that the enthusiasm in the locker room is at its height and we believe we can go all the way.
Panic at the Leafs
The Leafs may have made it through the first round, but they are on the brink at 0-3 in their series against the Panthers. Over the years, they have mostly learned to lose the important games and it continues. The pressure is enormous and we feel a wave of panic, starting with the general manager, Kyle Dubas, who threw a bottle of water in his dressing room. When the dege panics, it is a very bad example for the players.
Gerard Gallant
For the third time in six years, coach Gerard Gallant has been unfairly fired, this time with the Rangers. He probably would have preferred to receive sandpaper players at the trade deadline rather than two stars like Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane, but that was the choice of his boss, Chris Drury. In a market like New York, the latter must choose the right man otherwise he will jump too. In my opinion, Joel Quenneville would be the ideal candidate if he obtains his pardon from the NHL.
Bad memory
I suffered when I saw Golden Knights goaltender Laurent Brossoit writhing in pain on Monday night. I wouldn’t be surprised if he tore his groin because he injured himself the exact same way I did in 2013. I looked on YouTube and the move sequence is identical. I wanted to bring my leg back and push, then the groin gave out. That’s what ended my career eventually. It shows how important it is to have depth in front of the net these days.