It’s not easy ranking the best players in the NHL, and every time a big media outlet does it, there will be controversy and outrage among some fans.
During this year, most of the attention regarding the rankings and projections has been around Connor Bedard. The Chicago Blackhawks rookie, of course, drafted as the first overall this summer, is yet to play his first-ever NHL game.
In fact, he still hasn’t scored in the official pre-season, although he’s showcased some of the things he can do on the ice, especially his incredible dekes and ability not to lose possession of the puck.
When ESPN released their projection for the 2023-24 season, some fans were shocked to find out that Bedard was projected for 90 points as a rookie—for example, Sidney Crosby was projected to record 89 points, less than Bedard.
Many believe that media and analysts highly overestimate how well Bedard will perform in the league, and some even feel the pressure on the kid is becoming too much.
Now, TSN has released their top 50 players for the upcoming season, and it, to no one’s surprise, sparked some controversy around Connor Bedard. TSN’s panel of experts placed Bedard at No. 48 despite the rookie having played zero games in the big league.
Many flams slammed TSN for their ranking, especially the Red Wings fans, who quickly pointed out that their team, filled with rookies, shut out Bedard in a pre-season game this weekend.
”By this logic, Nate Danielson is a top 10 player in the league because he was SIGNIFICANTLY better than Bedard last night,” one said.
”Dude hasn’t even scored a pre-season goal. Meanwhile Danielson on the Wings, who was taken from the same draft, is averaging a PPG. Get serious,” another said.
Overall, many thought 48th is too high for a player who hasn’t even played his first game yet.
”Put him in the Hall Of Fame while you’re at it,” one said.
”Which Connor Bedard were you watching? The guy in Chicago was meh at best,” another said.
”Oh God stop. Let the kid develop,” a third added.
READ MORE: Sidney Crosby with a strong message to Connor Bedard; shares his biggest rookie-season regret
