Concerning Video Emerges and Things Don't Look Good for Connor Bedard
Connor Bedard's NHL career has only been going for a few months, and he has met expectations, but he hasn't exceeded them.
The offensive dynamo has been producing, but on the defensive side of the ice his performance has been concerning.
Connor Bedard's Offensive Performances Being Overshadowed by His Terrible Defensive Decision-Making
While +/- is a terrible statistic, it still shows how a player has been performing from a two-way standpoint. For Bedard, while he has seven points through his first 11 games in the league, has a -8. The Blackhawks are by no means a good team, but it isn't a stretch to say that Bedard has been crushed defensively.
A video of a particularly egregious defensive sequence has emerged, and it has fans worried.
Connor Bedard Proving to be a Defensive Liability for the Chicago Blackhawks
Bedard is certainly skilled, but he has the tendency to go hero-puck when he has possession. In this sequence, where he was trying to show off, he caused a brutal turnover. Instead of following his system and back-checking, he got way out of position.
What is Connor Bedard doing?
1. Awful turnover attempting to be fancy
2. The back check then leaves his assignment wide open in front of the net and he decides to skate around in a circle. As a Center, play center.
His Defense is a major issue that needs to be addressed..
How Can Connor Bedard Fix His Defensive Game?
Connor Bedard may only be 18, but he is already a #1 centre in the league. This is a daunting task, and he needs to be better. With these types of plays becoming too common in his game, it may be best for the Blackhawks to move him over to the wing. The centre is by definition the most important position defensively as a forward, and being on the wing would give him less pressure.
If he wants to be a true franchise centre in this league, rivalling players like Jack Hughes and Connor McDavid, he'll need to stop showing off and start doing his job.
POLL |
Do you think Bedard will ever be a top-5 player in the league? |
Yes | 572 | 65.4 % |
No | 302 | 34.6 % |
List of polls |
|
15 minutes ago | By Chris Gerics Auston Matthews Suffers Upper-Body Injury: Maple Leafs Captain Will Miss Rematch vs. Bruins |
|
3 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Two Maple Leafs Underperforming Becoming the Odd Men Out: Jani Hakanpaa and Conor Dewar Returning |
|
13 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers Come Together To Strike A Trade |
|
14 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Elliotte Friedman Reports Toronto Maple Leafs Are Candidates For Special Extension Due To Injured Player |
|
16 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Perfect Third-Line Trade Candidate for Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs Surfaces from the Seattle Kraken |
|
17 hours ago | By Tyler Ball Boston Bruins Make Mid-Season Move, Signing Stanley Cup Champion to Help Turn Things Around |
|
17 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Brad Treliving Finds Potential Trade Partner for Maple Leafs Forward: Crucial Update from Frank Seravalli |
|
18 hours ago | By Chris Gerics David Pastrnak Breaks Silence on Being Benched for the Entire Third Period |
Previously on HockeyPatrol