Despite his 5 feet, 10 inches and 185 pounds, Connor Bedard defies those who claimed that he would not have the maturity to quickly establish himself in the NHL.
Already, after only 20 games of experience, his name appears in the top 10 NHL forwards in a multitude of categories.
In terms of advanced statistics, among other things.
Photo Getty Images via AFP
A little help from the Sportlogiq firm helps to understand the extent to which Bedard is able to manage things on his own within a weak team. Whether for zone entries in control, successful feints and opportunities obtained when entering territory, his name appears among the best on the circuit.
Certainly a little help wouldn’t hurt. However, we understand better how his speed, his fluid handling of the puck and his reading of the opposing coverage lead him to install the attack which will allow him, a few seconds later, to hit the target.
Faster than Crosby
Last week, the young Blackhawks star silenced some of his detractors by scoring a 10e goal in his first 17 games. Among 18-year-old players, only Patrik Laine (14) and Steve Yzerman (15) scored their first ten goals faster.
Alex Ovechkin (14) and Mike Bossy (16) both reached that plateau earlier, but entered the NHL at 20 years old. For comparison purposes, Sidney Crosby (21), Wayne Gretzky (22), Connor McDavid (22) and Auston Matthews (22 to 19) took longer.
If he had to be well accompanied, it would be hell. Let’s say that the acquisitions of Taylor Hall, Corey Perry and Nick Foligno were more about planting the seeds of a winning culture than supporting the prodigious teammate on offense. Moreover, the Hawks announced on Tuesday the end of the union between Perry and them. Last week, Taylor Hall’s season ended due to a knee injury…
Mitten, top net
This solitude largely explains why he scored almost a fifth of the Hawks’ goals (10 out of 53). Moreover, nine of his 10 goals were achieved at even strength. Which is double all of his teammates except Jason Dickinson (7) and Tyler Johnson (5).
In this category, he finds himself in good company, since Kyle Connor, Filip Forsberg and Sidney Crosby (11 each) as well as Brandon Hagel and Bryan Rust (10) are the only players more efficient than him at equal strength in the entire circuit Bettmann.
His frail size, according to the assessment of some, would prevent him from finding his place in heavy traffic, near the opposing net. However, it is from this place that he fires the most shots. So far, he has 17, while the NHL average is 10.
Add to this ease the velocity and precision of his shot as well as the speed of his quickdraw and you will understand why he does not need to be 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weigh 215 pounds to be successful.
Moreover, opposing goalkeepers will have to sharpen their reflexes on the glove side, because it is his favorite target.
