Connor Bedard: A Star in the Making
March 31, 2022
The 2023 NHL Entry Draft is shaping up to be something special.
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The 2023 NHL Entry Draft is shaping up to be something special.
The Vancouver Canucks made six selections during the 2021 NHL Draft. The team agreed with the Arizona Coyotes on a trade, sending the ninth pick while acquiring right-winger Conor Garland and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve examined the likes of a wide variety of prospects “in the system” for the Los Angeles Kings. Elite-caliber names such as Gabe Vilardi, Quinton Byfield, Tobias Bjornfot, Arthur Kaliyev, and Brandt Clarke are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to L.A.’s deep and talented prospect pool.
The Edmonton Oilers headed into the 2021 NHL Draft with six selections. Without a pick in the second or third rounds, the team acquired forwards Andreas Athanasiou and Ryan Kuffner from the Detroit Red Wings. They sent back veteran Sam Ganger and a 2020 and 2021 second-round pick. In addition to this, general manager Ken Holland lost his original 3rd round choice in the deal for winger James Neal. Tied to a draft pick condition in the trade, the pick would be transferred if Neal scored 21 goals or more and veteran Milan Lucic scored ten or fewer goals than Neal during the 2019-20 season.
As the Los Angeles Kings continue to progress through their rebuild, one major position of strength is their deep and talented prospect pool. Last week, we examined the likes of Tyler Madden, Mikey Anderson, Quinton Byfield, and Brandt Clarke. This week, four new high-end youngsters take center stage.
The Boston Bruins made seven selections during the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Choosing to move their second-round choice, the team acquired former No. 1 pick Taylor Hall and Curtis Lazar at the trade deadline. Sending back forward Anders Bjork in the deal, Hall played a significant impact in the franchise’s playoff run.
The Dallas Stars were looking good going into the draft without any noticeable need. However, it was necessary to start building up their prospect pool after having five picks last year and just four the year prior.
The Toronto Maple Leafs held just three selections during the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The team was without their first-round
The New York Rangers went into the 2021 draft with nine picks. Before the draft even began, general manager Chris Drury was making waves among fans by trading Pavel Buchnevich to the St. Louis Blues for Sammy Blais and a 2nd round pick in the 2022 draft. Going into the draft, the Rangers’ biggest need was to grab a center, maybe two. The Rangers were also looking to pick up some players with size and strength, based on reading between the lines of Drury’s stated plans for the future of the Rangers.
The college boys have arrived. With the 2020-21 NCAA hockey season and Frozen Four tournament now behind us, NHL general managers are looking into notable prospects and what comes next in their development.
Hockey’s not exactly the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Glendale, Arizona, now is it? Located “deep in the heart” of the desert houses one of the most least-talked-about organizations in professional sports-the Arizona Coyotes.
Prospects are always a hot commodity around the National Hockey League, overseas in Europe, in Canadian junior hockey, and in the United States. As we look towards the start of next season, there are several elite-level prospects ready to burst onto the scene at the NHL level. Here’s my ranking of the top-10 prospects heading into 2020-21.
The 2023 NHL Entry Draft is shaping up to be something special.
The Vancouver Canucks made six selections during the 2021 NHL Draft. The team agreed with the Arizona Coyotes on a trade, sending the ninth pick while acquiring right-winger Conor Garland and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve examined the likes of a wide variety of prospects “in the system” for the Los Angeles Kings. Elite-caliber names such as Gabe Vilardi, Quinton Byfield, Tobias Bjornfot, Arthur Kaliyev, and Brandt Clarke are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to L.A.’s deep and talented prospect pool.
The Edmonton Oilers headed into the 2021 NHL Draft with six selections. Without a pick in the second or third rounds, the team acquired forwards Andreas Athanasiou and Ryan Kuffner from the Detroit Red Wings. They sent back veteran Sam Ganger and a 2020 and 2021 second-round pick. In addition to this, general manager Ken Holland lost his original 3rd round choice in the deal for winger James Neal. Tied to a draft pick condition in the trade, the pick would be transferred if Neal scored 21 goals or more and veteran Milan Lucic scored ten or fewer goals than Neal during the 2019-20 season.
As the Los Angeles Kings continue to progress through their rebuild, one major position of strength is their deep and talented prospect pool. Last week, we examined the likes of Tyler Madden, Mikey Anderson, Quinton Byfield, and Brandt Clarke. This week, four new high-end youngsters take center stage.
The Boston Bruins made seven selections during the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Choosing to move their second-round choice, the team acquired former No. 1 pick Taylor Hall and Curtis Lazar at the trade deadline. Sending back forward Anders Bjork in the deal, Hall played a significant impact in the franchise’s playoff run.
The Dallas Stars were looking good going into the draft without any noticeable need. However, it was necessary to start building up their prospect pool after having five picks last year and just four the year prior.
The Toronto Maple Leafs held just three selections during the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The team was without their first-round pick after they shipped it
The New York Rangers went into the 2021 draft with nine picks. Before the draft even began, general manager Chris Drury was making waves among fans by trading Pavel Buchnevich to the St. Louis Blues for Sammy Blais and a 2nd round pick in the 2022 draft. Going into the draft, the Rangers’ biggest need was to grab a center, maybe two. The Rangers were also looking to pick up some players with size and strength, based on reading between the lines of Drury’s stated plans for the future of the Rangers.
The college boys have arrived. With the 2020-21 NCAA hockey season and Frozen Four tournament now behind us, NHL general managers are looking into notable prospects and what comes next in their development.
Hockey’s not exactly the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Glendale, Arizona, now is it? Located “deep in the heart” of the desert houses one of the most least-talked-about organizations in professional sports-the Arizona Coyotes.
Prospects are always a hot commodity around the National Hockey League, overseas in Europe, in Canadian junior hockey, and in the United States. As we look towards the start of next season, there are several elite-level prospects ready to burst onto the scene at the NHL level. Here’s my ranking of the top-10 prospects heading into 2020-21.
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