Connor Bedard, Macklin CelebriniPhoto credit: NHL

The Chicago Blackhawks 1st overall pick in 2023, Connor Bedard, and 2024 1st overall pick, Macklin Celebrini were gathered and given their rankings by EA.

Macklin Celebrini had received an 82 overall by EA, while Connor Bedard’s stock had risen with EA, as he received an 88 up from 83 last season.

They both share a commonality in their draft selections and were selected by two terrible teams in the NHL.

The Chicago Blackhawks 1st overall pick in 2023, Connor Bedard, and 2024 1st overall pick, Macklin Celebrini were gathered and given their rankings by EA.

Macklin Celebrini had received an 82 overall by EA, while Connor Bedard’s stock had risen with EA, as he received an 88 up from 83 last season.

They both share a commonality in their draft selections and were selected by two terrible teams in the NHL.

Bedard, with the Blackhawks last season, one of the worst kept the Blackhawks in games, they had no business being in and being a playdriver, and crashing the net when they needed it the most, despite the lack of support.

 
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Celebrini hasn’t hit the NHL and has been given an 82, another similarity between himself and Bedard, as again Bedard had an 83 last season.

If Celebrini can be half the player Bedard was in 2023, he deserves that ranking.

But, in actuality, I think that EA is downplaying Bedard’s importance and skills this year as his supporting cast has improved considerably, as the team has added Tyler Bertuzzi and another possible linemate in Teuvo Teraveinen.

While 88 is fair, I think he really deserves a 90, as Bedard is destined for a 90-100-point season in 2024-2025.

Connor Bedard only has a few weaknesses that he will have to address, to keep improving this season.

2023 NHL draft: Connor Bedard No. 1 pick for the Chicago Blackhawks | AP  News
“I think it’s just growing that 200-foot game and I’m sure from his standpoint he probably wants to up his offensive output as well,” Davidson said. “But I’m excited to see him with some new linemates and really taking that step that now he understands the league and being able to impact the game on both sides of the puck and also give us a few more memorable moments on the offensive side of things.”Of course, Bedard is an offensive wunderkind, with an ability to wow us when he handles the puck, but he has to be a better defensive player and grow his 200-FT game, to even reach the pinnacle of legends like Sidney Crosby.
Especially if he wants to be mentioned in the same sentence as his idol, maybe he should study Celebrini’s two-way game and see where he falters.

Also, Bedard is too easily knocked off the puck, as evidenced by Isaak Philips’s hit at training camp, he gets way too distracted easily and needs to focus on the play, and the puck.

Only then can Bedard attain an even better ranking in EA’s NHL game, and be the true 1C the Blackhawks need down the road.

Bedard, with the Blackhawks last season, one of the worst kept the Blackhawks in games, they had no business being in and being a playdriver, and crashing the net when they needed it the most, despite the lack of support.

Celebrini hasn’t hit the NHL and has been given an 82, another similarity between himself and Bedard, as again Bedard had an 83 last season.

If Celebrini can be half the player Bedard was in 2023, he deserves that ranking.

But, in actuality, I think that EA is downplaying Bedard’s importance and skills this year as his supporting cast has improved considerably, as the team has added Tyler Bertuzzi and another possible linemate in Teuvo Teraveinen.

While 88 is fair, I think he really deserves a 90, as Bedard is destined for a 90-100-point season in 2024-2025.

Connor Bedard - Wikipedia

Connor Bedard only has a few weaknesses that he will have to address, to keep improving this season.
“I think it’s just growing that 200-foot game and I’m sure from his standpoint he probably wants to up his offensive output as well,” Davidson said. “But I’m excited to see him with some new linemates and really taking that step that now he understands the league and being able to impact the game on both sides of the puck and also give us a few more memorable moments on the offensive side of things.Of course, Bedard is an offensive wunderkind, with an ability to wow us when he handles the puck, but he has to be a better defensive player and grow his 200-FT game, to even reach the pinnacle of legends like Sidney Crosby.
Especially if he wants to be mentioned in the same sentence as his idol, maybe he should study Celebrini’s two-way game and see where he falters.

Also, Bedard is too easily knocked off the puck, as evidenced by Isaak Philips’s hit at training camp, he gets way too distracted easily and needs to focus on the play, and the puck.

Only then can Bedard attain an even better ranking in EA’s NHL game, and be the true 1C the Blackhawks need down the road.