It’s no secret that Connor Bedard is one of the most hyped prospects to hit the draft floor since Connor McDavid in 2015. The 17-year-old has been the center of attention for the 2023 draft, where he’s projected to go No. 1 overall.
Fresh off his World Juniors MVP performance, which helped Team Canada capture gold earlier this year, Bedard has been dominating the Western Hockey League. In 36 games with the Regina Pats, he has posted a staggering 44 goals and 90 points. Despite his relatively undersized frame, Bedard is a 200-foot player with elite situational awareness, playmaking skills, and a hockey IQ that makes him a force to be reckoned with.
While Bedard is undoubtedly the top prize in this year’s draft, the team he will suit up for remains up for grabs. Many clubs are keeping a close eye on the generational talent who will undoubtedly become a franchise player for one lucky NHL team.
As we approach the second half of the season, here are the teams in the running for the Bedard sweepstakes, based on their current losing records: Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers.
Among these ten, the Coyotes, Blue Jackets, and Sharks stand out as the best landing spots for Bedard based on need and compatibility.
Arizona Coyotes
The Coyotes have been one of the NHL’s biggest stories in recent years, but not in a good way. Since being forced out of Gila River Arena in late 2021, the team has been playing at the 5,000-seat Mullett Arena, shared with Arizona State University through the 2024-25 season. A major acquisition like Bedard could be the spark Arizona needs to revitalize the franchise and keep the team in the state.
Despite their 16-28-6 record in 50 games, the Coyotes are a fast, young team with several promising players. Bedard could pair well with Clayton Keller on the left wing and Nick Schmaltz on the right wing, creating a dynamic top line. With a deep prospect pool and the potential for future growth, Bedard could help transform Arizona into a true hockey market, much like Wayne Gretzky did for hockey in Los Angeles.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets have had a disappointing season, despite the offseason addition of star forward Johnny Gaudreau. Gaudreau leads the team with 49 points (14 goals, 35 assists) in 51 games, and linemate Patrik Laine has contributed 31 points in 36 games.
Although Columbus is 15-32-4 in 51 games and dead last in the standings, they’re currently the frontrunners to acquire Bedard. The Blue Jackets have the best odds of landing the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, which would be the silver lining for a franchise in need of a major rebuild. A top line featuring Gaudreau, Bedard, and Laine would offer exciting potential, both for this season and beyond.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks are another team that desperately needs the No. 1 pick. With a 15-25-11 record in 51 games, San Jose is in the midst of a rebuild and has never drafted higher than second overall. Bedard could be the missing piece to restore the Sharks to playoff contention.
New general manager Mike Grier has a tough task ahead, as the Sharks’ prospect pool has been underwhelming in recent years. With a full rebuild underway, it may take some time to find linemates who can complement Bedard’s elite playmaking ability. However, with Tomas Hertl signed to a long-term deal and veteran centers like Logan Couture still in the mix, San Jose has the potential to create a solid top-six forward group around Bedard.
With the trade deadline approaching and players like Timo Meier possibly on the move, it will be interesting to see how the Sharks structure their roster and what assets they can acquire to build around a potential No. 1 pick.
Fortunately for NHL fans, the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft is just around the corner, set to take place in Nashville on June 26. Whether Bedard becomes a Coyote, Blue Jacket, or Shark, one thing is certain: this year’s draft will be one to remember, marking the beginning of Connor Bedard’s highly anticipated NHL career.