That’s essentially what I said.
I’d like to set the record straight, once again, on my basis for this take.
- I think Bedard is AWESOME.
I think he is going to be an All-Star for a decade+.
I am extremely happy that he is on the team as a major piece to this rebuild.
- At this time I don’t see a future where Bedard reaches that McDavid and Crosby echelon.
Patrick Kane is my favorite Blackhawk of all-time.
He’s going into the Hall of Fame.
He’s going to have his #88 in the rafters.
At no point was Patrick Kane ever considered the best player in the NHL.
I am NOT saying that is Bedard’s fault.
I am not saying he can’t or won’t get better.
I do think due to his size and his lack of true top end speed he hassomelimitations.
You don’t have to be as deep.
You don’t have to be as balanced.
- Yes, Bedard’s teammates, especially last year, we not up to par.
While the team still stinks, the roster is improved this year.
The Blackhawks paid Tyler Bertuzzi a nice number.
- I am not sure Bedard’s best position is as a center.
The Blackhawks tried Kane at center for a long stretch in 2011.
That wasn’t the way to get the most out of him either.
That makes the rebuild goal of winning a Cup significantly more difficult.
- I am torn on Bedard’s propensity to cough up the puck.
I don’t want him to be boring with it.
Someone on twitter said that Bedard turns it over at a similar rate to McDavid.
I haven’t seen the exact stat, but I am willing to assume that it is true.
Just illustrating that he’s not a liability out there either).
If Bedard was producing at that level I’d have no problem with the turnover rate.
At this stage he isn’t.
- Remind yourself of point #1.
I think Bedard is awesome.
I am glad he is on the team.
- Bedard can and will get better.
If I had to handicap it I think his next deal will be more of the Toews/Kane/Matthews 2nd contract.
More of a bridge deal than the max 8 year deal he is eligible for.
- I do really value guys who can impact the game without necessarily scoring.
I do think there are things that Macklin Celebrini does better at this juncture.
I think he has some tools in his locker that Bedard hasn’t shown yet.
I will never understand why saying that and pointing some of those things out gets people so angry.
I’ve been on the internet for 12 years.
You could make a pretty long spread sheet of things I’ve gotten wrong.
When I get things wrong I admit it.
I don’t mind being proven wrong or hearing out other people and having a good chat about things.
Talking to people who disagree with you is always good in my opinion.
I am always open to changing my mind.
Hockey, however, isn’t played on a spreadsheet.
I love analytics, but hockey analytics are not a predictive model.
There are too many variables.
- Bedard is extremely talented.
I am glad he is on the team.
Kane was surrounded by Hall of Famers.
The Blackhawks have a very highly regarded farm system right now.
I am excited about many of those guys.
Prospects do break your heart though.
Ask the White Sox.
Ask the Sabres, Red Wings, and Senators.
At one time or another all of those organizations had prospect pools that suggested a bright future.
They’ve all been stuck in the mud for a decade.
It’s a lot easier to envision another banner when you have a guy who translates to Sidney Crosby.
- I love Patrick Kane.
Every player needs help.
Some elite players need more than others to get over the hump.
Chill
Bedard will be a perennial all-star.
Saying Bedard has things to work on is not the same as saying he’s a bust.
Thank you for your time.
Have a good day.
Reasonable people can disagree.
It’s okay to speak your mind and express concerns you may have.
It is okay to change your mind.
I do it all the time.
I would call that growth and maturity.
Getting things wrong isn’t a death sentence.
I am not a journalist.
I am an opinion guy.
It'’s my job to comment on things as they happen.
Sometimes I end up having to eat shit.
I don’t mind that.
I played hockey against a ton of future NHLers.
I know a ton of smart hockey people.
I feel lucky that I have smart people in my web connection that I can bounce ideas off of.
As evidence changes, so does my opinion.
- I think Bedard is going to be an All-Star.
I think he can do somethings better.
