NHL Eager for Arrival of Connor Bedard Show

Good morning. Last week’s poll was far more lopsided than expected, with 58.8% of poll participants predicting the Edmonton Oilers win the Pacific Division this season. Frankly, we were expecting a little more love for the Golden Knights and Kings.

Today and tomorrow we’ll wrap up division champ predictions before talking the Presidents Trophy Wednesday. Prepare accordingly.

We’re pumped to be back with you daily. 👊

- Brandon Rubeo & Kevin Allen

Today’s Lineup:

• Welcome to the Connor Bedard show

• Wild extend Zuccarello and Foligno

• Brandon Sutter retires

• Drake Batherson collects 4 points

• And a lot more… 👇

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NHL Eager For Arrival of Connor Bedard Show

Detroit coach Derek Lalonde’s children weren’t attending the Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks preseason game until they received inside information.

Rookie Connor Bedard was in Chicago’s lineup.

The Red Wings kept dynamic Bedard off the scoresheet in a 6-1 triumph in Detroit, but that doesn’t lower the excitement level about this potential superstar. He led Chicago with four shots on goal against Detroit.

The North Vancouver, British Columbia native is a dazzling performer, a player with more moves than a New York City break dancer.

Against the Red Wings, Bedard undressed rookie defenseman Simon Edvinsson with a memorable move.

After winning the lottery, the Blackhawks made Bedard the No. 1 pick in the June NHL draft. Bedard, 18, posted 143 points in 57 games for Regina in the Western Hockey League last season.

He earned two assists, one coming by setting up an overtime tally, in his NHL preseason debut versus the St. Louis Blues. The game against Detroit was his second preseason appearance

The Blackhawks are projected to be near the bottom of the NHL standings this season. But Bedard will likely play on a line with former NHL Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall.

Even though Bedard has never played an NHL game, FanDuel has him at a +250 bet to record 80 points this season. The media projects him to be near a point per game.

Only five rookies have averaged better than a point per game (minimum 40 games) in the salary cap era: Alex Ovechkin (1.31), Sidney Crosby (1.26), Evgeni Malkin (1.09), Connor McDavid (1.07) and Mathew Barzal (1.04).

POLL 🗳️

CAN’T MISS 🔥

✌️ Minnesota Wild extend Mats Zuccarello and Marcus Foligno Friday. The 36-year-old right wing, Zuccarello signed a two-year $8.25 million ($4.125M AAV) extension coming off a season where he collected 22 goals and a team-leading 45 assists. Foligno, a 32-year-old left winger and alternate captain, signed a four-year $16 million ($4M AAV) extension. Read more →

🫡 Brandon Sutter, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, has announced his retirement from the NHL after 13 seasons. Sutter was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2007 and went on to play for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouver Canucks before attempting a comeback with the Edmonton Oilers this season. He retired with 770 NHL games played, 153 goals, and 289 points. Read more → 

TRIVIA QUESTION 📚

What two neighboring franchises share the NHL record for longest winning streak to start an NHL season?

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QUICK HITS 📈

• 2023-24 NHL breakout player predictions: Drouin, Kakko, more

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• Crosby practices with Penguins, hosts youth clinic, in hometown rink

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• As NHL training camp rosters get trimmed, bubble players can learn valuable lessons

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• Chris Snow was a role model for so many reasons

COACHES CORNER 🏒

• Legendary skills coach Darryl Belfry breaks down Artemi Panarin’s elite pull up zone entry skating

• Two drill warm up sequence to work on handling bad passes

TRIVIA ANSWER ✅

The 1993-94 Toronto Maple Leafs and the 2006-07 Buffalo Sabres share the NHL record with the longest winning streak to start a season with 10 W’s. Coincidentally, they both suffered the same fate, losing in the Conference Finals.