The NHL’s race to the bottom: who will get Bedard?

Who will get the projected number one pick?

Joseph Black Contributor

At the end of a thrilling regular season in the NHL, headlined by the record-breaking Boston Bruins, many fans have shifted their focus to the Stanley Cup. However, that is not the case for teams left sitting at the bottom of the standings, including the Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets. These teams are so behind that Boston’s NHL record of 135 points is more than double the Ducks’ or Blue Jackets’. Instead of dwelling in the past, they have their eyes set on one of the most exciting NHL prospects of all time

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Connor Bedard. The 17-year-old

Vancouver native is projected to be selected frst overall in the NHL draft on June 28. This comes after Bedard registered 143 points in only 57 games for the WHL’s Regina Pats and was named MVP of this year’s IIHF World Junior Champtionship while playing for Team Canada.

Bedard has been on the radar of many NHL scouts since he played for the West Vancouver Warriors in minor hockey. He was the frst WHL player to be granted exceptional status, meaning he was eligible to play in the league before turning the minimum age of 16. Only six players in the history of the CHL’s three leagues (OHL, WHL, and QMJHL) have been granted this status, the most notable of whom is Connor McDavid, arguably the best active player in the world today. Bedard’s achievements throughout his career have resembled those of many incredible hockey players. With his sharp agility, magical playmaking, and quick toe-drag-release shot, Bedard can be a key part of any NHL team.

At the end of this year’s regular season, Anaheim and Columbus fnished bottom of the league and thus were awarded the highest chances of winning the frst